Freshwater WetlandsEcosystem Structure, Services, and Functions

What is a freshwater wetlands ecosystem?

Freshwater wetlands are characterized as the transition between freshwater and land (S&S) – these zones form unique ecotones that share characteristics of both and support a high species richness

Florida Everglades

What is the structure of a freshwater wetlands?The structure of

wetlands ecosystems is defined by hydrology (S&S)

Hydrology consists of the physical properties (precipitation, flow kinetic energy and chemistry) of water and the hydroperiod (duration, frequency, depth, and season of flooding)

What are the functions of the freshwater wetlands ecosystem?One of the major

functions is to move energy from the sun through transfers in the food chain

Wetlands can help prevent flooding

Wetlands store water for future use

Wetlands have habitat functions for a diverse community of specieshttp://water.usgs.gov/nwsum/WSP2425/

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What are the ecosystem services of freshwater wetlands?What are ecosystem

services?The 2004 Millennium

Ecosystem Assessment groups services into four categories: provisioning (production of food and water), regulating (control of climate and disease), supporting (nutrient cycles and crop pollination), and cultural (spiritual and recreational benefits

Examples:Provisioning – many Florida

residents depend on the Everglades for water

Regulating – wetlands can help purify water (trapping of sediment and pollution control)

Supporting – the nutrients are mineralized in the nutrient cycle, and freshwater ecosystems dissipate the nutrients

Cultural – The Everglades is a perfect example of recreational benefits