Wetlands
Wetlands
Wetlands (pronunciation: /ˈwɛtləndz/) are distinct ecosystems that are inundated by water, either permanently or seasonally, where oxygen-free processes prevail. The primary factor that distinguishes wetlands from other land forms or water bodies is the characteristic vegetation of aquatic plants, adapted to the unique hydric soil.
Etymology
The term "wetland" comes from the Old English "wæt" (wet) and "land" (land). It was first used in the scientific context in the late 19th century.
Types of Wetlands
There are four main kinds of wetlands – marsh, swamp, bog and fen. Some experts also recognize wet meadows and aquatic ecosystems as additional types of wetlands.
- Marsh: A type of wetland that is dominated by herbaceous rather than woody plant species. Marshes can often be found at the edges of lakes and streams, where they form a transition between the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
- Swamp: A wetland that features permanent inundation of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water, generally with a substantial number of hummocks, or dry-land protrusions.
- Bog: A wetland that accumulates peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses, and in a majority of cases, sphagnum moss.
- Fen: A type of wetland fed by mineral-rich surface water or groundwater. Fens are characterised by their water chemistry, which is neutral or alkaline, with high mineral ions.
Related Terms
- Hydric Soil: A soil that is saturated, flooded or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part.
- Aquatic Ecosystem: An ecosystem in a body of water. Communities of organisms that are dependent on each other and on their environment live in aquatic ecosystems.
- Ecosystem: A community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Wetlands
- Wikipedia's article - Wetlands
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