Wetlands EarthCache
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What are Wetlands?
To Table of Contents Wetlands are areas where water covers the
soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all
year or for varying periods of time during the year, including
during the growing season. Atlantic Coastal Marsh Water saturation
(hydrology) largely determines how the soil develops and the types
of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands
may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. The prolonged
presence of water creates conditions that favor the growth of
specially adapted plants (hydrophytes) and promote the development
of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils.
Wetlands vary widely because of regional and local differences in
soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation,
and other factors, including human disturbance. Indeed, wetlands
are found from the tundra to the tropics and on every continent
except Antarctica. Two general categories of wetlands are
recognized: coastal or tidal wetlands and inland or non-tidal
wetlands.
Riparian Wetland Coastal wetlands in the United States, as their
name suggests, are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan, and
Gulf coasts. They are closely linked to our nation's estuaries,
where sea water mixes with fresh water to form an environment of
varying salinities. The salt water and the fluctuating water levels
(due to tidal action) combine to create a rather difficult
environment for most plants. Consequently, many shallow coastal
areas are unvegetated mud flats or sand flats. Some plants,
however, have successfully adapted to this environment. Certain
grasses and grasslike plants that adapt to the saline conditions
form the tidal salt marshes that are found along the Atlantic,
Gulf, and Pacific coasts. Mangrove swamps, with salt-loving shrubs
or trees, are common in tropical climates, such as in southern
Florida and Puerto Rico. Some tidal freshwater wetlands form beyond
the upper edges of tidal salt marshes where the influence of salt
water ends.
Inland wetlands are most common on floodplains along rivers and
streams (riparian wetlands), in isolated depressions surrounded by
dry land (for example, playas, basins, and "potholes"), along the
margins of lakes and ponds, and in other low-lying areas where the
groundwater intercepts the soil surface or where precipitation
sufficiently saturates the soil (vernal pools and bogs). Inland
wetlands include marshes and wet meadows dominated by herbaceous
plants, swamps dominated by shrubs, and wooded swamps dominated by
trees.
Seasonal Wetland in Summer Seasonal Wetland in Spring Certain types
of inland wetlands are common to particular regions of the
country:
* bogs and fens of the northeastern and north-central states and
Alaska
* wet meadows or wet prairies in the Midwest
* inland saline and alkaline marshes and riparian wetlands of the
arid and semiarid west
* prairie potholes of Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas
* alpine meadows of the west
* playa lakes of the southwest and Great Plains
* bottomland hardwood swamps of the south
* pocosins and Carolina Bays of the southeast coastal states
* tundra wetlands of Alaska.
Many of these wetlands are seasonal (they are dry one or more
seasons every year), and, particularly in the arid and semiarid
West, may be wet only periodically. The quantity of water present
and the timing of its presence in part determine the functions of a
wetland and its role in the environment. Even wetlands that appear
dry at times for significant parts of the year -- such as vernal
pools-- often provide critical habitat for wildlife adapted to
breeding exclusively in these areas.
To log this earthcache as a "find", please send a e-mail listing
the 4 things wetlands do and list all the different kinds of
wildlife that is listed on both the plaques. You'll find the
answers in the two large plaques located at the posted cord's. If
possible please post photos of your visit to this wetland. Also if
you have some time check out the Hurstville Interpretive Center.
Parking is available right next to the posted cords and is
wheelchair accessible.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)