River Ecology By Namaste Leister Wetlands and River

River Ecology By: Namaste Leister

Wetlands and River Zones When talking about wetlands there are four types: • Submergent zone – These are always filled with water and vegetation, the vegetation will be either floating in the water, or rooted to the ground. Living on or bellow the surface of the water. • Emergent zone – There will sometimes be water in this wetland, though it will be shallow. The soil is saturated and moist. The vegetation that grows here must be able to tolerate the amount of water, for example Termed reeds grow in this zone. • Riparian zone – Soil is dryer the emergent zone, and nutrient-rich. Shrubs, grasses, and forbs grow here, along with other lush vegetation.

Wetlands and River Zones • Upland Zone – This wetland is forested land, it provides run off to all the wetlands. There also many animals living in this zone. • Wetlands get water from: precipitation, spring runoff, and underground seepage. And water leaves the wetlands through evaporation or by flowing out either above or underground. • Wetlands are usually connected to a creek or a river.

Values and Functions Wetlands have many important functions in the environment; • Wetlands improve the quality of the water, they mechanically, and biologically filter the water. • In emergent zones; microbes live on the roots of plants, and turn pollutants into safer chemicals. • Emergent vegetation also slows and dumps the sediment from runoff before it is able to enter the wetland. • Wetlands can act like a sponge, they reduce floods, ease drought , and recharge water tables. • They slow runoff, reducing soil erosion during storms and spring thaw.

Values and Functions • Animals depend on wetlands, they need them for their food, their water, their shelter or habitat, and even their breeding grounds. • Some wetlands are even needed for nurseries for small fish, • Wetlands provide recreational, scientific , and educational opportunities. • Wetlands even supply agriculture like berries and peat.