Water and the Atmosphere – Chapter 1 Lesson 4 Wetland Environments Water and the Atmosphere – Chapter 1 Lesson 4

Wetland Stories How much do you know about your school’s neighborhood? Students from Exploris Middle School in Raleigh, North Carolina, wanted to know more about the nearby Walnut Creek wetlands. Community groups had worked with the city to stop flooding and protect the wetland area. The students interviewed people who had lived near the wetlands for decades. They asked about the residents’ memories of the area. Students also created a field guide for the wetlands. They included descriptions and drawings of animals found in the area, so others could enjoy the wildlife right in their own city! Why did students at Exploris Middle School interview people near Walnut Creek? What questions do you have about wetlands?

What are Wetlands? A wetland is an area that is covered with a shallow layer of water during some or all of the year.   Wetlands help control floods and provide habitats for many species. They form in places where water is trapped in low areas or where groundwater seeps to the surface. Wetlands may be as small as a roadside ditch or cover as much as a small state. The Florida Everglades are a vast wetland.

What are Wetlands? The three common types of freshwater wetlands are marshes, swamps, and bogs. These wetlands are diverse. Marshes are usually grassy areas covered by shallow water or streams. Many cattails and other tall grasslike plants live there. Swamps look like flooded forests with trees and shrubs spouting from the water. Many swamps are in warm, humid climates. Bogs are more common in cooler areas. The water in bogs tends to be acidic. Mosses thrive in these conditions. Coastal wetlands, which usually contain both fresh water and salt water, include salt marshes and mangrove forests. Grasses grow in the rich mud of salt marshes. Mangrove forests are found along the southeastern coast.

Why Are Wetlands Important? Because of their sheltered water and rich supply of nutrients, wetlands provide habitats for many living things. Some of the same organisms that live in or near ponds live in freshwater wetlands.   Insects and fish find food and shelter among wetland plants. Birds, amphibians, and reptiles nest in and around the wetlands. Larger animals spend part or all of their lives in a wetland.

Why Are Wetlands Important? Wetlands are important to people. Wetlands act as natural water filters. They also help control floods by absorbing extra runoff from heavy rains. As water moves slowly through a wetland, some waste materials settle out or are absorbed by plants. The thick network of plant roots also traps silt and mud. Wetlands act like giant sponges, storing water until it gradually drains or evaporates. When wetlands are destroyed, floodwaters are not absorbed. Wetlands also make climates more moderate. Temperatures are cooler in summer and warmer in winter than they would be without wetlands.

Importance of Wetlands With their sheltered waters and rich supply of nutrients, wetlands provide habitats for many living things. Wetlands are important to people because they help to control floods by absorbing extra runoff from heavy rains. They also act as a natural filter, removing waste and pollutants from rainwater.

Importance of Wetlands Wetlands are home to many animal species, including insects, birds, fish, amphibians, and reptiles. Choose one kind of animal and explain what makes a wetland a suitable environment for it. One of the few species of wetlands mammals is the manatee. It is commonly found in Florida’s mangrove forests. Why is this a suitable environment for manatees? At one time, people drained water from wetlands to create land for new farms, houses, and businesses. Now, laws prohibit the draining of wetlands. Why did people decide to protect wetlands?