Wetlands are areas that hold water for significant periods
during the year and are characterized by anaerobic (low oxygen)
conditions favoring the growth of specific plant species and the
formation of specific soil types. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service emphasizes three key attributes of wetlands:
1) hydrology ( the degree of flooding or soil
saturation)
2) hydrophytes (wetland vegetation)
3) hydric soils (soil in which water has displaced the
air)
They may be permanently flooded by shallow water, permanently
saturated by groundwater, or periodically inundated or saturated
for varying periods during the growing season in most years.
Many wetlands are the periodically flooded lands that occur between
uplands and salt or fresh bodies of water.
Wetlands are important natural resources providing numerous values
to society, including fish and wildlife habitat, flood protection,
erosion control and water quality preservation. They comprise a
range of environments within interior and coastal regions of
Maryland.
Draining wetlands for agriculture, development, and other human
uses decreases habitat for wildlife and adversely affects the
land’s nutrient and sediment absorbing potential (e.g.,
buffering capability). Although slowed considerably by federal and
state laws restricting impacts to wetlands, losses still occur from
human induced changes in land use, sea level rise and natural
processes (erosion).
Loss and alteration of wetlands has occurred from various
activities, including construction of drainage ditches, canals and
bulkheads or other hard shoreline stabilization projects, and
conversion of wetland to agriculture and development.
By 1995, Maryland had lost 45-65 percent of its original wetlands,
many of which were drained for agricultural purposes. Government
regulatory programs have improved wetland conservation by providing
for better protection of wetlands than at anytime before, and may
eventually help achieve a net gain in wetlands, provided wetland
regulatory programs maintain effective control of existing wetland
resources .
As populations expand, there will be increased demand for
development of commercial, resort, and residential real estate that
will undoubtedly place additional pressure on remaining wetlands.
To date, the public has supported wetland protection efforts, by
recognizing the important water quality, flood storage, wildlife
habitat, and other functions that wetlands perform.
Although control of sources of water pollution, such as industrial
effluents and municipal wastewater treatment plants, is improving
the quality of many of Maryland’s waterways, urban and
agricultural runoff continue to degrade water quality. Improved
techniques for storm water discharge treatment, stream-side fencing
and employment of best management practices on farmland and managed
forests may further enhance water and wetland quality.
The view before you proves that municipal development and
conservation of wetlands are not mutually exclusive. Ocean City is
to be congratulated for incorporating this scenic wetland into its
planning.
TO CLAIM A FIND YOU MUST:
Send us an email with the answers to the following
questions:
a) What are wetlands?
b) What are the three key attributes of wetlands?
c) In spite of protective Federal and State laws, the
loss of wetlands can be caused by what three things?
d) What is being done to improve the quality of wetlands?
e) What wildlife did you see?
REQUIRED: On the observation deck, take a picture of yourself or your GPS with the background showing that municipal development and conservation of wetlands can coexist together. Upload this picture with your log.
For more information:
http://www.ococean.com/park&ride.html
http://www.mde.state.md.us/Programs/WaterPrograms/Wetlands_Waterways/documents_information/mdwetlands.asp
http://www.epa.gov/students/
http://soils.usda.gov/use/hydric/intro.html