Introduction to Coastal Wetlands

Flashcards covering key concepts and vocabulary related to coastal wetlands.

Coastal Wetlands

Coastal wetlands occur along moderately sloped coastlines where the land meets the sea. They are primary defenses for human communities, absorbing storm energy, and stabilizing shorelines with deep roots. 

Blue Carbon

refers to carbon stored in coastal ecosystems: mangroves, salt marshes, and sea grasses

Mangroves

Halophytic woody trees or shrubs that thrive in coastal saline environments.

Storm Defense

The role of wetlands in absorbing storm energy and floodwaters to protect human communities.

Zonation of Mangroves

The natural phenomenon where species of mangrove trees grow in distinct zones based on tidal inundation and salinity.

Viviparity

A reproductive strategy where seeds germinate while still attached to the parent tree, giving seedlings a head start.

Salt Marsh Sparrow

A bird species endemic to salt marshes in the Northeastern US, facing threats from rising sea levels.

Eutrophication

The process resulting from excess nitrogen, leading to overgrowth of algae and depletion of oxygen.

Bogs

Peatlands fed only by precipitation, characterized by acidity and nutrient-poor conditions.

Freshwater Marshes

Wetlands dominated by herbaceous vegetation with a shallow water regime, featuring high diversity.