Wetlands are complex and fascinating ecosystems that do many things which are very important for the environment. A wetland is an area in which the controlling factor is water.
Once thought as insect-ridden, useless, and even dangerous areas wetlands are now beginning to be recognized for the huge role they play on the earth.
There are many different types of wetlands, but all have three major criteria .
Defining and locating wetlands is called 'delineation'.
When delineating an area to see if it is a wetlands, scientists look at three factors:
1) Wetland Hydrology = Hydrology is the study of water and its interactions with the
environment. Scientists study the way water enters, is held and then later released by a
wetland. Please click on HYDROLOGY to learn the science of
water and wetlands.
2) Hydric Soils = Hydric in this use means water influenced. Soils in wetter regions tend to be gray or blue-gray with spots and streaks of yellow or red called mottles. Please click on HYDRIC SOILS to learn more of the science.
3) Hydric Vegetation = All plants need water to live, but few plants can live with their roots saturated. Hydric vegetation (also called hydrophytic plants) are plants that have adapted to living in water and can have their roots underwater for most or all of their lives. To learn more about these please click on HYDRIC VEGETATION.
Historically, the importance and benefits of wetlands have been overlooked. Take a look at this general WETLANDS TIMELINE to see how wetlands were viewed throughout US history.
