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In Physical Geography , a wetland is an environment "at the interface between truly Terrestrial Ecosystems ...and truly Aquatic systems...making them different from each yet highly dependent on both" (Mitsch & Gosselink, 1986). In essence, wetlands are Ecotones .


CHARACTERISTICS

Wetlands are found under a wide range of Hydrological conditions, but at least some of the time water Saturate s the Soil . The result is a Hydric Soil , one characterized by an absence of free oxygen some or all of the time, and therefore called a " Reducing Environment ." Plants (called Hydrophytes or just wetland plants) specifically adapted to the reducing conditions presented by such soils can survive in wetlands, whereas species intolerant of the absence of soil oxygen (called "upland" plants) can not survive. Adaptations to low soil oxygen characterize many wetland species.

Intertidal wetlands are found in coastal areas where air temperature, wave action, salinity levels, and sediment movements are moderated by the locational features of the estuarine environment.


WETLAND TYPES

  • A Bog or Muskeg is Acidic peat land (peat bog).

  • A Moor was originally the same as a bog but has come to be associated with this soil type on hill-tops.

  • A Mangrove Swamp or mangal is a salt or brackish water environment dominated by the Mangrove Species Of Tree , such as ''Sonneratia''.

  • A Marsh may be a fresh or a salt-water Wetland . Its main feature is its openness, with only low-growing or "emergent" plants.

  • Coastal (salt)-marshes may be associated with Estuaries and along waterways between coastal Barrier Island s and the inner coast. The plants may extend from reed in mildly brackish water to Salicornia on otherwise bare mud.

  • A fresh-water marsh may feature Grass es, Rush es, Reed s, Typha s, Sedge s, and other herbaceous Plant s (possibly with low-growing woody plants) in a context of shallow Water . It is a form of fen.

  • A Fen is freshwater peat land with chemically Basic (which roughly means Alkaline ) ground water. This means that it contains a moderate or high proportion of Hydroxyl ions ( PH value).

  • A carr is a fen which has developed to the point where it supports trees. It is more a north European term.

  • A Swamp is wetland dominated by trees rather than grasses and low herbs. The word tends to be used in warmer climates and in North America. It may be rather acidic.

  • A Bayou or Slough are southern United States terms for a creek amongst swamp. In an Indian mangrove swamp, it would be called a Creek .

  • Constructed Wetland is artificially contrived wetland. Intended to absorb Flash Flood s, clean Sewage , enhance Wildlife or for some other human reason.