Wetlands are Wonderful!!
By: Allie Jones
Four types of Wetlands
1. Swamp
- The only type of wetland that trees can grow in
- Has very acidic, peaty soil, typically dominated by peat moss
- Has a higher nutrient level than bogs do
- An area of low-lying land that is flooded in wet seasons or at high tide, and typically remains waterlogged at all times
Lets Talk Plants
There are many types of plants that reside in our nations wetland areas. Some include reed grass, cattails, and cypress trees. However cypress only grow in the wetland type of swamps. These types of plants have learned to adapt to the water and soil that are found in wetlands. Some even grow on the water because the soil is almost completely covered with standing water anyway.
Helpful Things Wetlands Do
1.Control flooding
- Absorbs water
- Roots stop quick water flow
- Roots of plants hold on to nutrients from the water
3. Habitat for endangered animals
- 20% of the U.S' endangered species live in wetlands
Animals in the Wetlands
Many aquatic animals live in the wetland areas around the country. Some, for example, are beavers, manatees, crocodiles, and many species of birds. Along with tons of small animals like frogs, snakes, salamanders, and turtles. They have also learned to adapt to the changes in water levels and loss of land.
Threats to Wetlands
Wetlands are threatened by a few major things; climate change, pollution, development, and invasive species.
Saving Our Wetlands
Saving our wetlands is not going to be a simple task as humans. Many things we as humans want all come with an expensive price; the cost of nature. Louisiana is losing an average of 25%-35% of its wetlands every year because of development and/or pollution caused by humans. One of the many ways to preserve our wetlands is by reducing the products we use that could cause acids to release into our water/oceans. Another is by helping to raise awareness about wetlands or maybe donate money to some of the many foundations that are doing there job to help conserve wetlands.
What is a Wetland?
A wetland is any place where the land is wet, whether over a long or short period of time. Some wetlands have water just sitting on top of the soil, while others only have a sufficient amount of water for half of the year. Over 20% of all US wetlands are found in only the state of Florida.
Websites Used
- http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_freshwater/intro/threats/
- http://www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq4120.html
- https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=what%20is%20a%20bog
- http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/info/wetlands/values.html
- http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/reports/species-listed-by-state-report?state=LA&status=listed
- http://www.restoreorretreat.org/la_erosion_facts.php
- http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/protection/wetlands/whatyoucando.html
- http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/publications/files/waterweb_wetlands.pdf
- http://ccrm.vims.edu/wetlands/teaching_marsh/wetland_plants/freshwater_plants.html
- http://www.ehow.com/info_8490721_types-trees-swamps.html