Wetlands lecture exam 2

What benefits do wetlands provide to society?

Fish and wildlife habitat, water quality improvement, flood water storage, shoreline erosion protection, and recreation and aesthetic appreciation

Why do wetlands produce a large amount of food?

Shallow water, inorganic nutrients, and high photosynthesis

Producers

plants, make their own food from the sun

Consumers

Eat other things to get energy

What percentage of endangered/threatened species rely on wetlands?

43

How do wetlands improve water quality?

Vegetation removes nitrogen and phosphorous, peat absorbs carbon dioxide,

Define a category 1 wetland

Low quality. Support minimal wildlife, vegetation, and recreation. Isolated, low diversity, invasive species. Little/no room for improvement

Define a category 2 wetland

Moderate quality. Support fair or good amount of wildlife, vegetation, and recreation. Degraded but could be restored.

Define a category 3 wetland

High quality. Superior habitat, vegetation, and recreation. High diversity and native species. Low historical disturbance

define a small scale wetland

1-10 acres, productive, in a complex

Why are small scale wetlands important?

Habitat for migrating birds

define wetland creation

Establishing a wetland where it didn’t exist before

Define wetland restoration

Planned recovery of a wetland to its original condition

Define wetland enhancement

To improve the ecological function of a degraded wetland

define a constructed wetland

A wetland made for a specific purpose

What factors are evaluated when finding a site for a wetland?

Soils, landscape, seed bank, topography

What are the 2 types of water control structures?

straight/drop pipe and stop logs

Pros and cons of straight/drop pipe

cheaper and good for larger watersheds, but can’t control water level

Pros and cons of drop log

easy to install and can control water level, but expensive and requires maintenence

What are the 4 ways to revegetate a constructed wetland?

Stockpile topsoil, seed from nearby wetland, transplant roots, importing seed

What is an upland buffer for?

Nesting habitat, filter sediment and pollution

What is the optimal ratio for an upland buffer?

3-4 acres of buffer to 1 acre of wetland

What is the minimum width for an upland buffer?

100 ft

What are 3 problematic invasives in wetland restoration?

Reed canary grass, common reed, and purple loosestrife

What invertebrate families are important to waterfowl and shorebirds?

Benthic, Epiphytic, and nektonic

Define green tree reservoir

A flooded bottomland hardwood forest from fall to spring

Why are green tree reservoirs important?

Habitat for migrating birds and increases food supply

Define hemi-marsh

equal area of open water and vegetation

What is the optimal water depth for feeding dabbling ducks?

less than 10 inches

4 waterfowl food sources

Buckwheat, millet, corn, winter wheat

What are the 2 constructed wetland treatments to improve water quality?

Soil-aquifer treatment and phytoremediation

What is the soil-aquifer treatment?

Using soil as a filter to reclaim wastewater

what is phytoremediation?

Using plants to degrade pollutants in wastewater

List 3 habitat elements of shorebirds

Food preference, timing of migration, and reproductive strategies