Wetlands

Question 1

What is a wetland?

Answer 1

Lands transition between terrestrial and aquatic systems where water table is usually at or near the surface/ land covered by shallow water

Question 2

What are 3 characteristics of a wetland?

Answer 2

1. At least periodically the land supports predominately hydrophytes
2. The substrate is predominately undrained hydric soil
3. substrate is nonsoil and is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some point in growing season

Question 3

What are the differences between permanently inundated and seasonally inundated wetlands?

Answer 3

Permanent: 1. freshwater: acidic, slow and incomplete decomposition (bogs and muskeg)
2.brackish- inundated at high tide or storm tide

Seasonal: 1. ephemeral ponds

2. Tundra
3. Ephemeral seeps, flood plains
4. Flatwoods

Question 4

WHy are wetlands important?

Answer 4

important habitat types for harbouring diversity
disproportionate percentage of the rarest plants and animals on earth
Amphibians, birds, insects, small mammals, fish
Mitigating flood surges
helps to filter surface water and protect it.

Question 5

What are the main stressors to wetlands?

Answer 5

Drainage- ditches, tiles, diversions
Diversion- accelerated runoff alters hydrology
Water control- Dams, roads, culverts) loss of natural wetting and drying cycles
Excessive nutrients and sediments- urb dev. agr.
Invasive and introduced species
Decrease in groundwater sources (wells)
Salinization- runoff road salt