Most scientists consider swamps, marshes, and bogs to be the three major kinds of wetlands. A swamp is a wetland permanently saturated with water and dominated by trees. There are two main types of swamps: freshwater swamps and saltwater swamps. Freshwater swamps are common in inland areas.

There is no single, comprehensive wetland law or policy in the U.S. -Asserted that the federal government holds primary jurisdiction over migratory birds and the conservation of their habitat, which is primarily wetlands.

Terms in this set (5)

• One. Buffer shore lines against erosion.
• Two. Reduce flood damage.
• Three. Provide spawning grounds for fishing.
• Four. Provide habitat for migrating birds.
• Five. Trap and filter runoff water to keep from polluting lakes.

How does the United States attempt to reduce wetland losses? – A U.S. law requires a federal permit to fill in or deposit dredge material in more than 3 acres of wetland. – Mitigation banking: allows destruction of of existing wetlands as long as an equal area of the same type of wetland is created or restored.

Wetlands destruction has increased flood and drought damage, nutrient runoff and water pollution, and shoreline erosion, and triggered a decline in wildlife populations.

Such roads often create long, low-quality wetlands upslope of the road by interrupting surface and groundwater flows. These wetlands can attract wildlife dangerously close to roads. Agriculture: Wetlands often have fairly flat areas of rich organic soil that is highly productive agricultural land if drained.

Because wetlands are so productive and greatly influence the flow and quality of water, they are valuable to everyone. Destruction of wetlands can lead to serious consequences, such as increased flooding, extinction of species, and decline in water quality.

A. Yes. Landowner legal liability for draining or filling wetlands is important to wetland regulations for several reasons.

The loss or destruction of wetlands can result in: Loss or degradation of wetland habitat and a loss of plant and animal biological diversity. Increased occurrence of algae blooms caused by nutrient overload from land adjacent to a wetland. Increased sedimentation, which negatively impacts natural filtration.

Some of these services, or functions, include protecting and improving water quality, providing fish and wildlife habitats, storing floodwaters and maintaining surface water flow during dry periods. These valuable functions are the result of the unique natural characteristics of wetlands.

Humans drain wetlands for several reasons. Two main reasons are: ~It makes land available for farming and building. ~It improves health by eliminating waterborne diseases and/or vectors like mosquitoes.

Other human acitivities which can have lasting effects on wetland ecosystems include stream channelization, dam construction, discharge of industrial wastes and municipal sewage (point source pollution) and runoff urban and agricultural areas (non-point source pollution).

Wetlands prevent flooding by temporarily storing and slowly releasing stormwater. Wetlands also reduce water flow, thus allowing sediments and associated pollutants to settle out. In addition, roots of wetland vegetation hold soils in place, thus stabilizing the banks of rivers and streams.

Wetlands play a vital role in the health of the environment. In addition to supporting a variety of organisms, they also reduce water erosion by trapping sediments. The high levels of biodiversity allows the bacteria and nutrients added to water to be absorbed by organisms in the wetland ecosystem.

Wetlands are considered valuable because they clean the water, recharge water supplies, reduce flood risks, and provide fish and wildlife habitat. In addition, wetlands provide recreational opportunities, aesthetic benefits, sites for research and education, and commercial fishery benefits.

Wetlands typically have three general characteristics: soggy soils, water-loving plants and water. Scientists call these: hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and wetland hydrology.

The main wetland types are swamp, marsh, bog, and fen; sub-types include mangrove forest, carr, pocosin, floodplains, mire, vernal pool, sink, and many others. Many peatlands are wetlands. Wetlands can be tidal (inundated by tides) or non-tidal.

Types of Wetlands

• Marshes.
• Swamps.
• Bogs.
• Fens.

Wetlands must have one or more of the following three attributes: 1) at least periodically, the land supports predominantly hydrophytes; 2) the substrate is predominantly undrained hydric soil; and 3) the substrate is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing season of each year.