Adaptations of seasonal and Adaptations of seasonal and temporary wetland communitiestemporary wetland communities

Definitions:Definitions:

Seasonal wetlandsSeasonal wetlands are nontidal wetlands are nontidal wetlands that are flooded for that are flooded for extended periodsextended periods in in the growing season.the growing season.

Temporary wetlandsTemporary wetlands are nontidal wetlands are nontidal wetlands that contain surface water for that contain surface water for brief periodsbrief periods in the growing season.in the growing season.

Intermittent watersIntermittent waters – become dry at times of – become dry at times of the year that are more or less predictable.the year that are more or less predictable.

Episodic watersEpisodic waters – are water-filled on a more – are water-filled on a more or less unpredictable basis.or less unpredictable basis.

Characteristics:Characteristics:

Lentic watersLentic waters

Closed environmentClosed environment

Lack of fishLack of fish

Presence of fairly shrimp andPresence of fairly shrimp and

tadpole shrimptadpole shrimp

WinterWinter

Verna pools Verna pools Seasonal marshesSeasonal marshesFlooded grasslandsFlooded grasslandsPlayasPlayas Spring SpringDesert depressionsDesert depressionsRock poolsRock pools

SummerSummer

Invertebrate and plant communities are Invertebrate and plant communities are affected by duration, timing, and frequency affected by duration, timing, and frequency

of flooding.of flooding.

Adaptations are:Adaptations are:

Morphological Morphological

PhysiologicalPhysiological

Behavioral.Behavioral.

Three main evolved strategies for Three main evolved strategies for surviving the dry season:surviving the dry season:

Life history modificationLife history modification

Physiological tolerancePhysiological tolerance

MigrationMigration

#1 Life History Modification#1 Life History Modification

Wetland invertebrates exhibitWetland invertebrates exhibit:: High powers of dispersalHigh powers of dispersal Rapid growthRapid growth Short life-spanShort life-span Small sizeSmall size Opportunistic/Generalistic feedingOpportunistic/Generalistic feeding

Wetland plants exhibit:Wetland plants exhibit: Rapid growth/reproduction – (8 to12 weeks)Rapid growth/reproduction – (8 to12 weeks)

Fairy ShrimpFairy Shrimp

16 day life cycle16 day life cycle

1/2” – 1” in size1/2” – 1” in size

Feed on algae, bacteria, Feed on algae, bacteria, protozoa, dead tadpoles protozoa, dead tadpoles and mollusks. and mollusks.

Easily dispersed by wind Easily dispersed by wind or water fowl.or water fowl.

#2 Physiological Tolerance #2 Physiological Tolerance

Synchronous life cycle.Synchronous life cycle.

Diapause during stagesDiapause during stages

in the life cycle thatin the life cycle that

coincides with drought.coincides with drought. Delta Green Ground BeetleDelta Green Ground Beetle Elaphrus viridisElaphrus viridis

Production of dormant egg and seed Production of dormant egg and seed propagulespropagules::

PlantsPlants::

Wetland plants will germinate with the firstWetland plants will germinate with the first

winter rains.winter rains.

Grow while the pool is full of water.Grow while the pool is full of water.

Flower and set seed as the waterFlower and set seed as the water

evaporates.evaporates.

InvertebratesInvertebrates::

Wetland invertebrates lay their eggs in the Wetland invertebrates lay their eggs in the sediment.sediment. Development is allowed to occur in the Development is allowed to occur in the absence of water.absence of water. Emergence occurs when the pond floodsEmergence occurs when the pond floods again.again.

Benefits of a long-lived egg and Benefits of a long-lived egg and seed bankseed bank

Maintain genetic, species Maintain genetic, species and community diversity.and community diversity.

Food for migrating Food for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds.waterfowl and shorebirds.

Predator and competitor Predator and competitor free environment.free environment.

#3 Migration#3 Migration

Divided into two forms:Divided into two forms:

ActiveActive – Requires power of flight. Seen – Requires power of flight. Seen mostly in insects.mostly in insects.

PassivePassive – used by smaller plant and – used by smaller plant and animal species that are not able to migrate animal species that are not able to migrate unassisted.unassisted.

Active migrationActive migration

Pantala flavescensPantala flavescens

The Wandering GliderThe Wandering Glider

Breeds in temporary ponds, Breeds in temporary ponds, exhibits long-distance exhibits long-distance dispersal.dispersal.

At emergence adults fly At emergence adults fly upward and are upward and are transported by the wind. transported by the wind.

Passive MigrationPassive Migration

Wind and surface Wind and surface drainage dispersal.drainage dispersal.

Transportation by Transportation by waterfowl.waterfowl.

Transportation by Transportation by insects.insects.

Importance of seasonal and Importance of seasonal and temporary wetlandstemporary wetlands

Increased fitness demands lead to greater Increased fitness demands lead to greater genetic diversity.genetic diversity.

Habitat for distinct species that are not found Habitat for distinct species that are not found elsewhere.elsewhere.

Maximizing the gene pool of species that Maximizing the gene pool of species that occur in both temporary and permanent occur in both temporary and permanent waters.waters.