Wetlands Swamps Marshes and more
What are Ecosystem Services? Ecosystem services are benefits that ecosystems provide to people. They can be classified into four categories: Provisioning - goods or products obtained from ecosystems such as food, timber, fiber, and freshwater. Regulating - benefits obtained from an ecosystem’s control of natural processes, such as climate regulation, disease control, erosion prevention, water flow regulation, and protection from natural hazards. Cultural - nonmaterial benefits such as recreation, spiritual values, and aesthetic enjoyment. Supporting services are the natural processes, such as nutrient cycling and primary production, which maintain the other services.
Ecosystem Services Provided by Wetlands Among the most productive ecosystems in the world. Compared to??? “the kidneys of the landscape”, because of the filtration functions “biological supermarkets” because of the extensive food webs and rich biodiversity they support.
Wetlands - the birth of modern civilization. gave rise to farming, critical to the development and survival of early human civilizations. Mesopotamians, Mayans (as early as 6,000 years ago) Modern civilizations depend on properly functioning ecosystems and the services provided by wetlands. Ramsar - http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/info/services_00_e.pdf Mayans converted wetlands to farmland http://www.nature.com/news/2010/101105/full/news.2010.587.html Image http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QgTIbFilNZc/S_x3gJlIaMI/AAAAAAAABBQ/ImkG9yGm6VU/s1600/maya_agri.jpg http://i-akumal.blogspot.com/2010/05/ancient-mayan-farming-and-irrigation.html
Wetland services include: Flood control Groundwater replenishment Shoreline & storm protection Sediment & nutrient retention and export Water purification Reservoirs of biodiversity Wetland products Cultural values Recreation & tourism Climate change mitigation and adaptation Map of the US - http://www.internationalteflacademy.com/Portals/67369/images/North-America-TEFL-Classes.jpg Reference – $ 14.9 trilion - Costanza R, d.Arge R, de Groot R, Farber S, Grasso M, Hannon B, Limburg K, Naeem S, O.Neill RV, Paruelo J, Raskin RG, Sutton P & van den Belt M 1997. The value of the world.s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature 387, 253.260. 10 ecosystem services of wetlands Ramsar - http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/info/services_00_e.pdf
What is a Wetland? Areas where water covers the soil or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time Medical products uses an extract from the horseshoe crab's blood to test the purity of medicines the horseshoe crab's shell has been used to speed blood clotting
Wetlands are sometimes areas of stagnant water that support aquatic plants. Plants that adapt to the very moist and humid conditions are called hydrophytes e.g. pond lilies and cattails. The Cattail is probably the most recognizable of the wetland plants.
Duckweed, as its name implies, is a significant food source for ducks as well as other waterfowl. Duckweed floats on the surface of the water and is not rooted to the bottom.
Types of Wet lands – bogs, swamps & marshes, mangroves forest Types of Wet lands – bogs, swamps & marshes, mangroves forest. Bogs are usually found in the cold climate. Swamps and marshes can be of either freshwater, saltwater, or a mixture of both (this mixture of both is known as an estuary). A marsh has no woody plants. The non-woody plants would be salt marsh grass, reeds or sedges. Marshes are not as deep as swamps.
Bogs a wetland type that accumulates a deposit of dead plant material. Moisture is provided entirely by precipitation highly acidic with a pH of less than five Pitcher plants are also found in bogs.
Swamps a wetland that is dominated by woody plants (shrubs and trees). often near rivers or streams. rivers and streams flood, the flood carries nutrients to the swamp.
Marshes type of wetland which is distinguished from other wetland varieties by having an assortment of grasses, reeds, and sedges, without large bushes and tall trees. can be salt or fresh water, and often has large spaces of open water which are heavily colonized by birds. provides vital habitat to many plant and animal species. protecting neighboring areas of land from flooding, and in the case of saltwater marshes, excessive salination.
A Mangrove habitat
The cycle of life in the wetland
During heavy rains , a wetland absorbs water like a sponge. Summary of: During heavy rains , a wetland absorbs water like a sponge. When the rains end, the water slowly drains out of the wetland thus keeping the other areas from flooding. Wetlands also act as a natural filtration system. They remove sediments and even toxic chemicals from our water supplies. Salt water wetlands can absorb big waves and prevent damage e.g. The mangroves. Many animals and birds depend on the wetland for food and shelter.
water covered area with vegetation. Mangrove water body joining sea and connected to freshwater tributaries. Estuary shrubs in saline water Bog water covered area acting as an ecosystem supporting plants and animals. Wetland accumulates a deposit of dead plant material. Swamp