Topic 8 Unit 2:

Importance of wetlands
What is a wetland
a land or area that is covered with a
shallow layer of water during some or
all of the year.
Why Wetlands Are Important

• They provide a home for animals.

 
• Trees and shrubs that help produce oxygen
are there.
 
• If wetlands were destroyed, the surrounding
areas would end us losing the much needed
food and oxygen that the wetlands provide.
What do we Know?

• Wetlands include animals, plants, and many

trees
 
 
• There are many types of wetlands, such as
swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens
 
 
• Wetlands such as swamps and bogs are
being damaged by natural disasters and
human interactions.  
 
 
What do we Know?

• Wetlands store runoff and provide habitat for

animals
 
• Development issues are causing animals to
overcrowd other habitats. 
 
Common development issues
• Fertilizers from farming ,construction sites, and
home owners
 
• Construction is killing off trees, plants and animals. 
 
• Animals are being run out of their homes and forced
to overcrowd other wetlands.
 
Types of Wetlands
• Swamps - Depends on nutrient-rich ground water
derived from mineral soils.

Great Dismal Swamp

Types of Wetlands
• Marshes - Permanently or periodically flooded
sites characterized by nutrient-rich water.

Located around
beaches. Ex. – Kitty
Hawk or Corolla
 Types of Wetlands 
• Bogs - Made by peat accumulation, usually
dominated by moss. Bogs appear where the water
at the ground surface is acidic. Bogs are generally
formed by rain water
Types of Wetlands
• Fens - Made by peat accumulation;
may be dominated by sedge, reed,
shrub or forest. Fens are mostly fed by
surface or groundwater.
Common Wetland Plants

Bladderwort

Cattails

Algae
Common Wetland Plants

Spike Rushes

Waterweed Duckweed

Coontail
Bulrushes Water Lily
Common Wetland Animals

Leopard Frog

Red-winged Blackbird
Beaver

Garter Snake

Ducks Red Fox

Common Wetland Animals

Water Beetle

Dragonfly
Minnow

Snail

Tadpole Water Strider

Well done you guys, remember always give
your best!