Environmental Biology Unit 8: Wetlands and Wetland Loss

This set of flashcards covers major concepts related to wetlands and wetland loss, including definitions, classifications, functions, and ecological significance.

What are the three main types of wetlands?

Marshes, swamps, and bogs.

What historical legislation contributed to wetland loss in the U.S.?

Swamp Lands Acts.

What percentage of wetland area has been lost in the lower 48 states?

Over 50%.

Define wetlands according to the Clean Water Act.

Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency or duration sufficient to support vegetation adapted for life in saturated soil.

What indicators classify wetland vegetation?

OBL, FACW, FAC, FACU, UPL.

What is OBL in wetland vegetation classification?

Obligate wetland plants that occur almost always in wetlands.

How much total canopy cover in a wetland must OBL and FACW provide?

More than 50%.

What are hydric soils?

Soils saturated long enough during the year to produce anaerobic conditions.

List three indicators of hydric soils.

Dark surface color, ≥24% organic matter by weight, oxidized areas around plant roots.

What is gleying in relation to soil?

The process that results in iron mottles in saturated soils.

What role do hydric soils play in wetlands?

They support specific plant communities adapted to saturated conditions.

What influences wetland hydrology?

Flooding and the proximity of the water table to the surface.

Name a characteristic of tropical floodplain wetlands.

They are subject to seasonal flooding.

What types of freshwater wetlands exist?

Palustrine, lacustrine, and riparian wetlands.

What are coastal wetlands?

Wetlands influenced by tides, including estuarine and marine wetlands.

Define prairie potholes.

Isolated depressions surrounded by dry land, wet in spring months.

What is a key function of bottomland swamps?

They provide habitat for specialized trees and wildlife.

How are bogs and fens formed?

In depressions left by glacial retreat.

What is unique about vegetation in bogs?

It is often specialized and can include carnivorous plants.

What are the characteristics of Texas coastal wetlands?

Include diverse environments like barra islands, estuaries, and freshwater ponds.

How much estuarine habitat has been lost in the last 40 years in Texas?

Over 35%.

What natural event leads to the formation of sand sheet wetlands in Texas?

Tropical storms.

What is an example of a plant found in Texas estuarine wetlands?

Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora).

What impact does wetland loss have on local ecosystems?

Reduces habitat for fish, wildlife, and plant species.

What benefits do wetlands provide for water quality?

They filter pollutants and improve water clarity.

How do wetlands maintain air quality?

By storing carbon in preserved plant biomass.

How do wetlands support the hydrological cycle?

They receive, store, and release water, maintaining stream flow.

What role do wetlands play in flood damage reduction?

They store and slowly release floodwaters, creating buffer zones.

What is the effect of coastal marshes on hurricane surge?

They reduce storm surge by one foot for every 2.7 miles.

What recreational activities do wetlands support?

Hunting, fishing, birdwatching, and ecotourism.

What threat do urban developments pose to wetlands?

They can lead to habitat destruction and pollution.

What does the National Wetlands Inventory depict?

Locations and types of wetlands across the United States.

How can sediment accumulation affect wetlands?

It can lead to changes in water dynamics and ecosystem health.

What are some key characteristics of the geology affecting Texas coastal wetlands?

Includes rising sea levels and dynamic river meandering.

What happened to wetlands between Clear Creek and Galveston Bay?

Significant loss and alteration due to urban development.

What is the primary threat to the riparian zones in your area?

Urban development and land alteration.

Name an adaptation found in floodplain forests.

Cypress trees have flared trunks and aerial roots.

What is the importance of monitoring wetlands?

To assess health and plan conservation efforts.

How can wetlands contribute to climate change mitigation?

By sequestering carbon and moderating climate extremes.

What measures are required to protect remaining wetlands?

Increased conservation efforts and stricter regulations.

What does the term 'meander scars' refer to?

Wet depressions left by meandered rivers.

What is the role of meandering rivers in wetland formation?

They create depressions that can become wetland areas.

Why is biodiversity important in wetland ecosystems?

It supports ecological stability and resilience.

What is a slough?

A wetland that can hold water and exhibit slow water movement.

What can cause freshwater intrusion into coastal wetlands?

Inadequate freshwater inflow and excessive pumping.

What is the ecological significance of transitional zones in wetlands?

They serve as buffers between terrestrial and aquatic environments.

In what ways are wetlands important for birds?

Provide migratory stopovers and breeding grounds.

Define 'hydrological cycle' in context to wetlands.

The continuous movement of water through the environment supported by wetlands.

What evidence can indicate previous water levels in wetlands?

Test pits, water marks, and drift lines.

How do wetlands support endangered species?

By providing critical habitat required for their survival.

What roles do wetlands play in nutrient cycling?

They process and recycle nutrients through biological and chemical interactions.

What specific types of trees are common in bottomland hardwood forests?

Cypress and other flood-tolerant species.

What is the connection between wetlands and groundwater recharge?

Wetlands help replenish groundwater supplies during dry periods.

What is the significance of the Munsell Soil Color Chart?

It helps identify wetland soils based on color.

Define 'slough' in the context of wetlands.

A wetland type characterized by slow-moving water.

What adaptations might plants have in saturated soils?

Aerial roots, shallow root systems, and special gas exchange structures.