2. Wetlands
Wetlands are areas that are periodically or permanently inundated by surface or ground water and support vegetation adapted for life in saturated soil. Wetlands include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas.
January 2002

3. Marshes
areas where the soil is periodically or permanently flooded with water.
dominated by soft stemmed grasses
have shallow water.
fiddlercrabs

4. Marshes Marsh plants: - cattails - rushes - bur weed - water lilies
Marsh animals can be very diverse.
- Green heron

5. Bogs Associated with evergreens
Usually found in areas with short growing seasons and lower temperatures.
pH less than 5

6. Bogs Little or no drainage Acidified by rotting vegetation,
Some open water surrounded by a floating mat of sedges, sphagnum mosses, and other acid-loving species.
A quagmire, which trembles or gives way underfoot.
Bogs

7. Swamps dominated by trees and shrubs (woody plants)
often occur along river floodplains, subtropical to tropical coasts and in quiet lakes.
inhabited by an abundant variety of animals

8. Swamps… SWAMPS are fed primarily by surface water
inputs and are dominated by trees and
shrubs. Swamps occur in either freshwater or
saltwater floodplains. They are characterized by very wet soils during the growing season and standing water during certain times of the year
Forested swamps-Receive floodwater from nearby rivers and streams. Trees include bald cypress, water tupelo, white oak, and red maple.
Shrub swamps-Similar to forested accept buttonbush and swamp rose dominate.
Mangrove swamps-Coastal wetlands characterized by salt-tolerant trees and plants.

9. Swamps…
Forested Swamp
Mangrove Swamp

10. Types of wetlands in the US
Coastal/Tidal wetlands:
salt water and fresh water mix due to tidal action.
Found around the Gulf, Atlantic, Pacific and Alaskan coasts.
Regional example is Jamaica Bay.

11. Types of wetlands in the US
Inland wetlands:
Include marshes, swamps, and wet meadows.
Great Swamp in New Jersey.

12. What do wetlands do? Wetland Functions
Habitat nesting, spawning, rearing and resting sites for aquatic and land species, food chain production
Hydrology protection of other areas from wave action and erosion, storage areas for storm water and flood water, ground and surface water aquifer recharge
Water water quality protection, water filtration and Quality purification, treatment of nonpoint source runoff
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13. Why are wetlands important?
Wetland Values
maintain biodiversity
provide habitat for animals
maintain water quality
support commercial fishing, forestry
reduce flood damage
hiking, fishing, hunting,
bird watching, boating
aesthetic value
Did you know?
Nationwide, an estimated 50 million people spend approximately $10 billion annually observing and photographing wetland-dependent birds.
January 2002

14. There are many different kinds of wetlands.
People place different values on them based on the functions they perform.
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15. How Does a wetland work

16. Where are wetlands located?
Wetlands are located throughout NC
There are two kinds of maps in NC that show the locations and types of wetlands:
National Wetland Inventory (NWI) Maps
DCM Wetland Type Maps
January 2002

18. The following slides show photos of wetland types typically found in Coastal North Carolina.
January 2002

19. Riverine Swamp Forest
January 2002

20. Headwater Swamp
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21. Swamp Forest
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22. Pocosin Wetland
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23. Wet Pine Flat
Hard Wood Flat
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24. Tidal Salt Marsh
January 2002

25. What happens to the wetlands?
Some wetlands continue to exist but are degraded by the effects of fertilizers, pesticides, and oil runoff.

26. Destruction of wetlands:
Intrusion of nonnative species
Draining wetlands for agricultural purposes and mosquito control
Dikes and dams to form ponds and lakes
Pollution from landfills
Removal of vegetation
Air pollution

27. The Disappearing Wetlands
loss of 70, ,000 acres per year in the U.S. (EPA)
More than half have turned into land.
Acres lost to new houses, businesses and farms.

28. In years
11% 5%

29. Fish & Wildlife Service: National Wetlands Inventory (NWI)
1982 Report to Congress, re: 1950s to 1970s 9.2 million acres lost average annual loss of 458,000 acres 87 percent to agriculture Report to Congress, re: 1970s to 1980s 2.6 million acres lost average annual loss of 290,000 acres agriculture largest single reason Recent report: Rate of wetland loss continues to decline.

30. How it Affects the U.S Wetland lost ---> increased salt levels
The high amount of salt kills vegetation and trees.

31. How do Wetlands help? a key link in watershed management.
protects water quality
controls flooding
serves as home for many plants and animals.
economy has a significant connection to wetlands.

32. Efforts to Conserve Wetlands
The Nature Conservancy Proposes:
Rehabilitation
Construction of new wetlands
The U.S Army Corps of Engineers:
issue permits to control activities in wetlands.
minimize damage to wetlands.

33. Government Action to Preserve Wetlands
The “No-Net-Loss” Plan (Dec. 2002)- for every acre of wetland lost, it would be replaced with an acre of artificial wetland.

34. Government Action & Effectiveness
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act was enacted to control wetland development
This law is not effective and has many loopholes.
Few states have wetland programs
No true national program to protect wetlands

35. Restoration Needed Wetlands are in poor conditions
Man-made wetlands lack a rich biodiversity
Need to restore to its natural state
Restoration is a very long and complex process.

36. Know Your Watershed http://www. ctic. purdue
In Canada's Wilderness, Measuring the Cost of Oil Profits
Wetlands Losses in the United States 1780's to 1980's
Wetland Loss Index 1780s-1990s
Wetland Losses in the United States: Scope, Causes, Impacts, and Future Prospects
Bibliography

37. References