Wetlands Land that contains water for all or part of the year.
Characteristics: Distinct soils Varied species: insects, water
plants, and amphibians, etc.
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Wetlands, continued Why are they important? Reduce erosion and
runoff Cycle nutrients Reduce pollutants Create recreational areas
Habitats to many different species Breeding & spawning grounds
Nursery and food factories
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hydroelectric Advantages: -renewable -little pollution
-controllable and constant -not expensive once built Disadvantages
-cant be used everywhere -initially expensive -floods the river and
blocks transportation -harms ecosystems-fish ladders
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Geothermal Advantages: -renewable -little pollution
-controllable and constant -not expensive once installed
Disadvantages -cant be used everywhere -initially expensive
-difficult to install after house is built -Steam can contain
minerals and chemicals.
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Solar energy Advantages: -renewable -little pollution -not
expensive once installed -abundant Disadvantages -not constant
-initially expensive -PV cells made of toxic chemicals -harms
ecosystems-birds and insects
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Wind energy Advantages: -renewable -no pollution -not expensive
once installed Disadvantages -not constant or controllable
-initially expensive -noisy and eyesore -harms
ecosystems-birds
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Biomass Advantages: -renewable -less pollution -reduces trash
-fuel made in US -constant and controllable Disadvantages -gives
off CO2 -lack of infrastructure-gas pump -raised food prices -ashes
are hazardous