Wetlands

We chose to research about wetlands because they are very unique and special. Wetlands used to be extremely common during prehistoric times, but now there are only small areas left. Some plants and animals exist only in the wetland biomes, such as the star fruit and water vole. But, as the amount of wetlands decreased, many organisms became endangered and even extinct. We wanted to find out more about what the characteristics of wetlands and what is being done to help the environment.

A wetland is an area where the ground is soaked or underwater for most of the year. Therefore, the ground is soggy and soft for the most part. Marshes and wet meadows are flooded grasslands, swamps are watery forests, and bogs and fens are areas with peat-covered ground. Tidal activity causes the water level of coastal marshes’ to change. Wet meadows are flooded for short periods each year; thus, they have drier soils than most other wetlands. In many large wetland complexes, the different wetlands overlap with each other, and the organisms in the individual wetlands interact with organisms from a neighboring wetland. Wetlands are considered transitional habitats, which is land that is between solid grounds with flowing or standing water. With the moist conditions of wetlands, it is one of the richest habitats on earth.

Wetlands provide many valuable resources, such as “hungry season” food supplies, domestic water and materials for income diversification. People pick different berries to eat from wetlands, as well as moss and wild rice. Wetlands also produce fossil fuels. Wetlands provide essential functions in our environment, such as providing habitats for animals and helping prevent erosion.

Wetlands do not have a characteristic climate...

... middle of paper ...

...du/islandcreekes/ecology/common_cattail.htm>.

“Nurseries, Habitat, and Breeding Ground.” Wetland Benefits. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2010. .

Philadelphia Zoo. “American alligator .” Philadelphia Zoo. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2010. .

Stone, Lynn M. Wetlands. Vero Beach: Rouke Enterprises, INC., 1989. Print. “Examines the wetland as an ecological niche and describes the plant and animal life supported there.”

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. N.p., 18 June 2010. Web. 20 June 2010. .

“Why are wetlands special?” South Downs Online. South Downs Joint Committee, n.d. Web. 20 June 2010. .