what is the definition of wetlands?

Answer 1

Wetlands are areas such as swamps, bogs, and marshes where water either covers the soil or is present at or near the surface, particularly in the root zone, at least a good portion of the year, including the growing season. In the past, wetlands were generally considered unproductive or undesirable lands—smelly and unhealthful, a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests—and many were filled in to create farmland or to develop land for housing and industrial use. More than half of the original wetlands in the continental United States have disappeared in the name of reclamation, disease prevention, and flood control. Scientists now realize that, far from being noxious barrens, wetlands play a key role in the ecosystem. They act as filters, removing pollutants, including metals, from waters. They serve as reservoirs, and they aid flood and erosion control by absorbing excess water. Wetlands are home to a great variety of plant and animal species, some endangered, that have evolved to live in the wetland's unique conditions. The preservation and, where possible, restoration of these vital habitats has become a primary goal of environmentalists around the world.

Answer 2

According to the US Geological Service and the EPA a wetland is an area that is blue lined on the Geo survey map as determined by the US Corps of Army Engineers.

Answer 3

wetland (n.) A lowland area, such as a marsh or swamp, that is saturated with moisture, especially when regarded as the natural habitat of wildlife: a program to preserve our state's wetlands.

Answer 4

Wetlands are today's politically correct term for swamps just like rain forest is the in vogue term for jungles.

Answer 5

Gander Academy

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Ecosystems: Wetlands

Introduction || Classification || Purpose and Value
Wetlands and Wildlife || Wetlands International
Wetland Regions of Canada



Introduction


Wetlands: An Introduction
"Wetlands" is the collective term for marshes, swamps, bogs, and similar areas. Wetlands are found in flat vegetated areas, in depressions on the landscape, and between water and dry land along the edges of streams, rivers, lakes, and coastlines.


What Are Wetlands
The term "wetlands" encompasses a wide variety of aquatic habitats. Swamps, marshes, bogs, prairie potholes, flood plains, and fen - these are all names for ecosystems known as wetlands.


The Wonder of Wetlands
Wetlands are where earth and water meet. They are almost as old as the planet itself, and are home to some of the richest biodiversity on Earth. They are to be found all over the world from the tropics to the frozen plains and are as crucial to the planet 's well-being as any other finely balanced part of nature.


Wetlands
Wetland, geographic area with characteristics of both dry land and water. Wetlands typically occur in low-lying areas at the edges of lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers, or in coastal areas protected from waves. They are found in a variety of climates on every continent except Antarctica.


Wetlands
There is clear water up to your ankles and a dragonfly zips past your head as you watch some ducks fly off the water - welcome to the soggy world of the wetland!


Why are Wetlands Important?
The Role of Wetlands in an Ecosystem Wetlands prevent flooding by holding water much like a sponge. By doing so, wetlands help keep river levels normal and filter and purify the surface water. Wetlands accept water during storms and whenever water levels are high. When water levels are low, wetlands slowly release water.


So What's the Big Deal About Wetlands
We hear a lot about "wetlands" these days, and to most people they're simply "something out there somewhere" that probably serves some useful purpose or other. Aside from that, anyone who prefers dry feet to muddy ones won't spend much time in the wetlands; so take heart -- they're disappearing rapidly


Introduction to Wetlands
Wetlands encompass many different habitats including ponds, marshes, swamps, and peatlands. They are areas where land and water meet and are wet for an ecologically significant part of the year. Wetlands may be temporally flooded each day as with tidal marshes, or be filled seasonally with water from melting snow.


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Classification of Wetlands


Classification of Wetlands
Wetlands vary greatly in their genesis, geographical location, water regime, chemistry, and plant communities. To permit description of the wetlands in Canada, a classification system was developed by the National Wetlands Working Group in 1988. This system classifies wetlands on the basis of their biotic and abiotic characteristics. This system recognizes five main wetland classes in Canada: bogs, fens, marshes, swamps, and shallow open waters.


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Purpose and Importance


The Importance of Wetlands
In the past, wetlands were mostly considered to be wastelands. As the United States was settled and people moved west, swamps and marshes were obstructions along the way. Many were drained to be replaced by farmland, railroads and road construction. In recent decades many people have come to recognize the values of wetlands. No longer the forgotten stepchild of our environment, some scientists call them natures kidneys because of the natural cleansing functions they perform.


The Purpose of Wetlands
Flood Busters: Wetlands act like giant, shallow bowls. Water collects in these bowls and slows down as it spreads out.


Putting a Value on Function
Traditional methods of system evaluation tend to reduce most values to monetary terms. Conventional economic theories assume that the benefit of a 'commodity' is the dollar amount people are willing to pay for a good or service, rather than be without it.


Wetlands and Flooding
As winter melts into spring, communities across America have been hit hard with floods, exacting a heavy toll in property damage and loss of life. By soaking up and storing excess water and slowly releasing it over time, wetlands help control flooding.


WETLAND HISTORY
Wetlands are the natural link between the land and the water. They are areas covered by water or that have waterlogged soils during the growing season. Plants growing in wetlands are capable of living in soils lacking oxygen for at least part of the growing season.


Wetlands: Value and Function
Many people use the terms functions and values interchangeably when discussing wetlands, even though functions and values are different. Functions are the physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring in and making up an ecosystem.


Wetland Loss (US)
n the 1600's, over 220 million acres of wetlands existed in the lower 48 states (Dahl and Johnson 1991). Since then, extensive losses have occurred, with many of the original wetlands drained and converted to farmland. Today, less than half of the nation's original wetlands remain.


What Are Wetlands Worth?
Wetlands can be the first line of defense against flooding. Like sponges, wetlands soak up rain and store excess floodwater runoff, then slowly release flood waters back into streams, lakes, and groundwater.


The Importance of Wetlands
Wetlands act like sponges, soaking up rain and storing floodwater runoff. Wetlands slowly release flood waters back into streams, lakes, and groundwater; making flooding impacts less damaging. One acre of wetlands can store more than 360,000 gallons of water if flooded to a depth of one foot.


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Wetlands and Wildlife


Wetlands and Wildlife
Migratory Rest-stops: Many migratory birds stop on wetlands on the way to their winter or summer homes. If you visit a wetland in the fall or spring, you could see hundreds or even thousands of them.


Wetlands are for the birds
Wetlands and birds are inextricably linked -- wetlands are homes and migration refueling places for one third of all bird species. Among the most productive ecosystems in North America, wetlands are biological "factories" of energy-rich resources vital to our birds.


Wetland Birds Species List



Wetland Animals: Smallmouth Salamanders
Smallmouth Salamanders are large terrestrial amphibians that live throughout the Beaver Creek Wetlands. These docile, unobtrusive salamanders live most of their lives underground, in tunnels and under debris.


Freshwater Wetlands
Wetlands are more important than you think! Fresh water wetlands are found all over the world, and in the U.S. from Florida to Alaska. Wetlands are often nesting grounds for migratory birds.


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Wetland Regions of canada


The Wetlands of Canada



Wetland Regions of Canada



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International Wetlands


Wetlands International



Wetland Centre Resources



List of links



Environmental Glossary