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Wetlands

Wetlands. What makes a wetland a wetland?. Wetland hydrology: Permanently or periodically inundated to depths less than 6.6 feet or soil is saturated to the surface during the growing season. WATER

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Wetlands

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  1. Wetlands

  2. What makes a wetland a wetland? • Wetland hydrology: Permanently or periodically inundated to depths less than 6.6 feet or soil is saturated to the surface during the growing season. WATER • Hydric Soil: Sufficiently wet to develop anaerobic conditions and are associated with reduced-soil characteristics. SOIL • Hydrophytes: The prevalent vegetation are hydrophytes. Hydrophytes are capable of growing in saturated soils and anaerobic conditions. PLANTS

  3. Why do wetlands have anaerobic soil conditions? • First off, what do aerobic and anaerobic mean? • Aerobic = with oxygen Anaerobic = without oxygen • This lack of oxygen leads to the presence of hydric soils and thus hydrophytes. • What causes the soil to lose oxygen? • Bacteria and plant roots use up available oxygen • Water prevents atmospheric oxygen from diffusing into the soil • O2 diffuses 10,000 x’s slower through water than air http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/rido/rido1009/rido100900023/7889400-group-of-healthy-people-with-instructor-doing-aerobic-exercises-with-step-at-gym.jpg

  4. How are hydric soils different? • Without oxygen, bacteria in the soil rely on different things for energy such as iron, manganese, sulfate, and carbon dioxide. • The minerals in the soil are converted into different forms for energy thus changing color. This is known as gleyed soil.

  5. How do hydrophytes live in soil without oxygen? • They have enlarged holes in their stems called aerenchymathat allow oxygen to be pumped into the roots. • Which plant lives in a wetland?

  6. Adaptations to hydric soil • Buttressing • Flared out base of the trunk • Increases surface area for increased gas exchange. • Stabilizes the tree in moist soil http://sites.naturalsciences.org/education/treks/swamp_09/images/26_Water%20Tupelo.jpg Daniel Ellis

  7. Adaptations to hydric soils • Pneumatophores • AKA knees • Increase surface area for increased gas exchange http://www.bonsaietc.com/images/shop/baldcypress.gif Daniel Ellis

  8. Adaptations to hydric soils • Fluting • Folds at the base of the trunk • Provides support in moist soil • Increases surface area • Similar to cristae of a mitochondrion Daniel Ellis http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/gallery/images/1_Bald_Cypress_Swamp.jpg

  9. Adaptations to hydric soils • Hypertrophied lenticels • Oversized holes in the stem • Allow oxygen to enter • Adventitious roots • Above ground roots • Increase oxygen intake http://www.nhmi.org/mangroves/pic/w37.jpg http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/generalbotany/images/typesofroots/Zearoots1.jpg Daniel Ellis

  10. Hypertrophied lenticels. Large openings in trunk or some roots. Adventitious roots. Roots above soil surface

  11. Adaptations to hydric soils • Floating leaves • Stomata on top of leaf • Openings in leaf that allows gas exchange • Multiple trunks • Shallow root systems http://mysite.cherokee.k12.ga.us/personal/candis_novak/site/Logo/1/white_water_lily_pad.jpg Daniel Ellis

  12. Why are wetlands important? • Habitat/nursery • Food • Flood protection • Erosion controltrap sediment • Filter pollutants • Bird migration • Nutrient removal • Stores greenhouse gasses (carbon) • Recreationfishing and hunting

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