Freshwater wet lands

Kiora aurelien & Elmer Guevara

What are Freshwater Wetlands?Freshwater wetlands are areas where standing freshwater covers the soil of a area where the ground is very wet.They are not connected to the ocean.They are found along streams, lakes, and ponds.

Grasmere Lake

The types of Freshwater Lands

SwampsMarshes

Marshes and Swamps Marshes- low lying water that becomes wet after a high tide or wet seasons. They usually form on low flat lands and has no movement. The bottom of a marsh contains nutrients, plants, decomposers, and scavengers. Swamps- dominated by woody plants, such as trees. They act as filters and absorb and remove pollutants.

Abiotic Factors Sunlight – which is non living but is essential for ecosystem providing as a energy resource. Rocks- which is also non living and is located on the bottom of the wetlands . Air- non living; consist of many different kinds of gases but most important are oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. We inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide while plants inhale carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

Plants Plant diversity occurs in the freshwater marshes.

Arrow argum. They grow around late May, early June and are dominant in the many marshes.

PontederiaAlso known as pickerel weeds. They can be found in shallow water or mud.

Marsh hibiscusIt grows up to 12 feet tall and usually begins to bloom in July and dies in the beginning of September.

Animals

The American alligator can be found in marshes and swamps. There are currently found in the South East of the United States.

Birds are very common around freshwater wetlands. The American Bittern is one if the common birds and is known for there "cry". They live in North America.

A common fish that's found in freshwater lands is Cape Lopez Lyretail. They live in swamps and ditches in Africa.

A dwarf siren, known as being an eel like creature. They live in swamps and ditches and travel with 2 feet with 3 toes each.

Animals

Dwarf siren

Cape Lopez American bittern

Adaptations The cape Lopez has made many adaptations to survive in the wetlands . It's most interesting adaptation is the ability to lay eggs with a drought resistant membrane . While the cape Lopez would die in a drought , the eggs resume growing once rain returns .

The American bittern adaptation is blending into it's surroundings, if he sees a predator he will stay motionless and imitate the reeds.

The dwarf siren adaptation is being able to survive long periods of drought by burying itself and forming a caccoon.

Threats to biome Wetlands are facing many threats by society .

Wetlands are being drained for commercial reasons , they are usually drained for tourism facilities and agricultural land

Pollution also poses a huge threat to for the wetlands , the pollution affects the water quality which has a big affect on the animals .

Recreational Activities Zip lining

Canoeing Bird watching

Interest points The Florida Everglades which is the biggest marsh in the United States.

Interest point The Grand Canyon is a popular tourist attraction that's known for the Colorado river carving the canyon.

Average participation/ temperature The amount of rainfall per year is 10-20 inches.The temperature reaches to 72 degrees in spring/summer. Then drops to 32 degrees in fall/winter.

Supplies needed…..

Bait ( for fishing )Bathing suitScuba gearFishing poleWarm clothesIce skatesSledBug repellent

Wetlands being threatened In New Zealand, the freshwater wetland is being threatened. They are taking out sand and gravel which is causing a difference of water levels. The wetlands are being polluted by nutrients and sediments from nearby farmlands. Lastly, the increase of animal ps and pets are starting to effect the biome.

Endangered speciesThe Everglades Snail Kite is loosing its prey so therefore it's species is decreasing.The Eastern Indigo snake.The Floridan Panthers.

Impact of climate change The climate is relatively warm in the spring/summer in freshwater wetlands. These two seasons is when the blooming of flowers begin to happen. If the climate were to change it would effect the growth of the plants which provides food for herbivores. Climate change can effect the animals, plants , and overall ecosystem in an un positive way.

Importance of freshwater wetlands Freshwater wetlands are important because they are the reason why flooding is more controlled due to the sponge like cycle they provide. They release water at a very slow rate too. The substance that freshwater wetlands provides helps plants which is provided in the water stream.

Citations http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/wetlands/why.htm

https://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/southflorida/everglades/marshes/threatened.html

http://chloesfreshwaterfacts.weebly.com/freshwater-tourists-guide.html