Wetlands

• Comprise 5-8% of earths surface

What is a Wetland

1. Presence of water at root zone or surface

   1. for at least part of time

   2. depth and duration vary from site year-year

2. Unique soil conditions differing from uplands

   1. Soils ponded 7-30 days during growing season

   2. anaerobic conditions

3. Support vegetation adapted to wet conditions and are characterized by an absence of flooding-intolerant vegetation

• Obligate= occur always under natural conditions in wetlands

Types:

Bogs

• no significant inflow or outflow and supports acidophilic mosses

Vernal pool

• shallow, intermittently flooded depression that typically dry in the summer

Playa

• an arid wetland that has distinct wet and dry seasons

Salt marsh

• halophytic grassland where waters fluctuate

Praire Potholes

• Shallow, marsh-like pond

Benefits

• Filters

• Acts as a nursery

• Rice, cranberries, peat

Buffers

• most buffers are set by state agencies or local ordinances