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Wetlands
Diverse ecosystems that serve as transitional habitats between terrestrial and aquatic environments, identified by hydrophytic vegetation and hydric soils.
Hydrophytes
Water-loving plants that are characteristic of wetland habitats.
Hydric Soils
Soils rich in organic matter that overlie gray, anaerobic mineral layers, indicative of wetlands.
Inland Wetlands
Wetlands that are found away from coastal areas, including marshes, swamps, riverine wetlands, and peatlands.
Coastal Wetlands
Wetlands located along coastlines and influenced by saline waters, including tidal salt marshes and mangrove swamps.
Tidal Salt Marshes
Wetlands characterized by brackish waters, dominated by grasses and rushes, and influenced by ocean tides.
Mangrove Swamps
Coastal wetlands dominated by salt-tolerant trees (halophytic), found in areas with minimal wave action and sediment accumulation.
Floating Marshes
Wetlands composed of thick mats of roots that float on water, common in river deltas and areas not prone to flooding.
Riparian Wetlands
Wetlands adjacent to rivers, subject to regular flooding, important for nutrient exchange and spawning of fish.
Pothole Wetlands
Marsh ecosystems formed in depressions created by retreating glaciers, crucial for various waterfowl species.
Peatlands
Depressional wetlands characterized by the accumulation of organic matter, acting as critical carbon sinks.
Bogs
Nutrient-poor, acidic wetlands that lack significant water inflow and have lower biodiversity.
Fens
Nutrient-rich wetlands that receive runoff or groundwater inputs and support higher biodiversity.
Hydrologic Regimes
Patterns of water movement in wetlands, including characteristics like permanence, predictability, and seasonality.
Sources of Water in Wetlands
Wetlands derive water from precipitation, surface water, groundwater, and tides.
Subhabitats in Wetlands
Different areas within a wetland that have varying chemical and hydrological characteristics.
Wetlands and Global Change
Wetlands face risks from warming temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and increased decomposition rates due to climate change.
Ecosystem Services of Wetlands
Functions provided by wetlands, including flood mitigation, water purification, and habitat for diverse species.
Types of Wetlands
Broadly classified into inland and coastal wetlands, further divided by geomorphology, hydrology, and vegetation.
Inland Wetland Types
Includes marshes, swamps, riverine wetlands, and peatlands that are found away from coastal areas.
Coastal Wetland Types
Includes tidal salt marshes, mangrove swamps, and floating marshes found along coastlines and large lakes.
Riverine Wetlands
Wetlands adjacent to rivers characterized by regular flooding and nutrient exchange.
Depressional Wetlands
Low-lying areas that collect water, resembling lakes, often influenced by hydrology and surrounding landscape.
Pothole Wetlands
Small depressional wetlands created by glacial activity, critical for various species, especially waterfowl.
Subhabitats in Wetlands
Distinct zones within a wetland, including littoral, limnetic, and emergent areas, each with unique characteristics.
Littoral Zone
Nearshore areas of a wetland where sunlight penetrates and aquatic plants grow.
Limnetic Zone
Open water areas in a wetland that are deeper and typically contain floating or submerged plants.
Emergent Wetlands
Areas with plants that grow above the water level, often supporting diverse wildlife.
Ephemeral Wetlands
Temporary wetlands that form seasonally, often rich in biodiversity during wet periods.
Biogeochemical Processes
Natural cycles involving the transformation of elements, such as carbon, facilitated by wetland ecosystems.
Wetland Classification Criteria
Wetlands are classified based on their geomorphology, hydrology, climate, nutrient input, and vegetation.
Hydrology's Role in Wetland Types
Hydrology influences wetland characteristics and determines the residence time and movement of water.