What is a Wetland?

• A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally.

Characteristics of a Wetland

• Wetlands vary widely due to local and regional differences in:

• Topography • Hydrology• Vegetation• and other factors, including human disturbance. • Wetlands can be divided into two main classes:

tidal and non-tidal areas.

Wetland Topography

Where are Wetlands Located?

• Wetlands are found on every continent except Antarctica

• One of the world's largest natural wetlands is the Patanal , which straddles Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay in South America.

Climate

• Many of the world's wetlands are in temperate zones (midway between the North or South Pole and the equator)

• Amount of rainfall a wetland receives varies widely according to its location

What does a Wetland Do?• water purification

systems• flood control• shoreline stability • reservoirs of

biodiversity.

Ecosystem Stress

• Water Scarcity • Endangered species• Imbalance in sediment load and nutrient

filtration• Disruption of breeding grounds

Natural or Not..

• Wetlands may be converted for agriculture or development or constructed as a water management tool as in the recent developing field of Water Sensitive Urban Design

Agriculture

• Concerns are developing over farm fishing, a practice especially popular within Asia and the South Pacific and its influence on many small island developing states

Human ImpactEncroachment

• Drainage• Development• Over-grazing• Mining• Unsustainable water

use

Wetland Plants

Wetland Animals

http://drake.marin.k12.ca.us/stuwork/rockwater/Wetlands%202/Animals%20and%20plants%20of%20the%20Wetlands.htmlhttp://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/habitat/wetlands.phphttp://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/wetlands.html