Ebony Jewelwing
|
WHAT IS A WETLAND?According to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands;
“Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres." For regulatory purposes in the United States, under the Clean Water Act, the term wetlands means "those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas." |
TYPES OF WETLANDS IN OHIO
Marshes
A marsh is possibly the most beloved of all wetlands. They have a broad vista, often extending out to open waters. They are busy and vibrant places populated by an intriguing variety of birds that are marsh dependent. Herons and egrets wade in the shallow waters, while ducks seasonally descend in epic numbers. Plants grow from spongy bottoms, some remain submerged, while others like the white water lily float at the surface. Others, including pickerel weed and cattail are emergent, rise above the surface, providing seclusion for secretive birds and insects. Possibly one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, marshes convert the essential elements of water, mineral and sunlight into living tissue at a higher rate than a mature forest or prairie. Fish often use the submerged complexity as nurseries where the many layers of vegetation provide refuge and nutrition.
Great Lakes Coastal Marsh
Along Lake Erie marshes were once extensive. Before settlement most river mouths were hosts to marshes and estuaries, waters that were sometimes river influence and sometimes lake influences. These embayments were sometimes cut off from the lake by drifting beach sand. Especially in the western basin, from about Sandusky westward the coastline is so shallow that wind-related seiches once flooded far inland. Extensive marshes merged gradually into vast slowly drained swamp forests. As cities and industry became established in the 19th century, successful and wealthy sportsmen established many shooting clubs in this area for recreation based on the super-abundance of waterfowl. The extensive protected habitat we find today both public and private in this region is a legacy of that era and interest. Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Magee Marsh are examples of now public assets. Winous Point on Muddy Creek Bay in Sandusky Bay is the premier private marsh in this region.
These wetland habitats are largely managed for waterfowl in the interest of duck hunters. Without the sportsman, it is unlikely that so much wetland habitat would have survived. These same areas are home to many of our endangered and threatened species. Birding, a passive leisure activity, contributes millions of dollars to the local economy. The spectacle of bird diversity brings people from all of the world to witness bird migration where western Lake Erie marsh land provides superior stopover habitat.
A marsh is possibly the most beloved of all wetlands. They have a broad vista, often extending out to open waters. They are busy and vibrant places populated by an intriguing variety of birds that are marsh dependent. Herons and egrets wade in the shallow waters, while ducks seasonally descend in epic numbers. Plants grow from spongy bottoms, some remain submerged, while others like the white water lily float at the surface. Others, including pickerel weed and cattail are emergent, rise above the surface, providing seclusion for secretive birds and insects. Possibly one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, marshes convert the essential elements of water, mineral and sunlight into living tissue at a higher rate than a mature forest or prairie. Fish often use the submerged complexity as nurseries where the many layers of vegetation provide refuge and nutrition.
Great Lakes Coastal Marsh
Along Lake Erie marshes were once extensive. Before settlement most river mouths were hosts to marshes and estuaries, waters that were sometimes river influence and sometimes lake influences. These embayments were sometimes cut off from the lake by drifting beach sand. Especially in the western basin, from about Sandusky westward the coastline is so shallow that wind-related seiches once flooded far inland. Extensive marshes merged gradually into vast slowly drained swamp forests. As cities and industry became established in the 19th century, successful and wealthy sportsmen established many shooting clubs in this area for recreation based on the super-abundance of waterfowl. The extensive protected habitat we find today both public and private in this region is a legacy of that era and interest. Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Magee Marsh are examples of now public assets. Winous Point on Muddy Creek Bay in Sandusky Bay is the premier private marsh in this region.
These wetland habitats are largely managed for waterfowl in the interest of duck hunters. Without the sportsman, it is unlikely that so much wetland habitat would have survived. These same areas are home to many of our endangered and threatened species. Birding, a passive leisure activity, contributes millions of dollars to the local economy. The spectacle of bird diversity brings people from all of the world to witness bird migration where western Lake Erie marsh land provides superior stopover habitat.
Wet Meadows
Wet meadows commonly occur in poorly drained areas such as shallow lake basins, low-lying depressions, and the land between shallow marshes and upland areas. Precipitation serves as their primary water supply, so they are often dry in the summer.
Wet meadows commonly occur in poorly drained areas such as shallow lake basins, low-lying depressions, and the land between shallow marshes and upland areas. Precipitation serves as their primary water supply, so they are often dry in the summer.
Wet Prairies
Wet prairies are similar to wet meadows but remain saturated longer. Wet prairies may receive water from intermittent streams as well as ground water and precipitation.
Wet prairies are similar to wet meadows but remain saturated longer. Wet prairies may receive water from intermittent streams as well as ground water and precipitation.
Vernal Pools
Vernal pools have either bedrock or a hard clay layer in the soil that helps keep water in the pool. They are covered by shallow water for variable periods from winter to spring, but may be completely dry for most of the summer and fall. Many vernal pools fill with water in fall or spring.
Vernal pools have either bedrock or a hard clay layer in the soil that helps keep water in the pool. They are covered by shallow water for variable periods from winter to spring, but may be completely dry for most of the summer and fall. Many vernal pools fill with water in fall or spring.
Swamps
Swamps are fed primarily by surface water inputs and are dominated by trees and shrubs. Swamps occur in either freshwater or saltwater floodplains. They are characterized by very wet soils during the growing season and standing water during certain times of the year. Well-known swamps include Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp and Virginia’s Great Dismal Swamp. Swamps are classified as forested, shrub, or mangrove.
Forested swamps are found in broad floodplains of the northeast, southeast, and south-central United States and receive floodwater from nearby rivers and streams. Common deciduous trees found in these areas include bald cypress, water tupelo, swamp white oak, and red maple.
Shrub swamps are similar to forested swamps except that shrubby species like buttonbush and swamp rose dominate.
Swamps are fed primarily by surface water inputs and are dominated by trees and shrubs. Swamps occur in either freshwater or saltwater floodplains. They are characterized by very wet soils during the growing season and standing water during certain times of the year. Well-known swamps include Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp and Virginia’s Great Dismal Swamp. Swamps are classified as forested, shrub, or mangrove.
Forested swamps are found in broad floodplains of the northeast, southeast, and south-central United States and receive floodwater from nearby rivers and streams. Common deciduous trees found in these areas include bald cypress, water tupelo, swamp white oak, and red maple.
Shrub swamps are similar to forested swamps except that shrubby species like buttonbush and swamp rose dominate.
Bogs
Bogs are freshwater wetlands characterized by spongy peat deposits, a growth of evergreen trees and shrubs, and a floor covered by a thick carpet of sphagnum moss. These systems, whose only water source is rainwater, are usually found in glaciated areas of the northern United States. One type of bog, called a pocosin, is found only in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.
Bogs are freshwater wetlands characterized by spongy peat deposits, a growth of evergreen trees and shrubs, and a floor covered by a thick carpet of sphagnum moss. These systems, whose only water source is rainwater, are usually found in glaciated areas of the northern United States. One type of bog, called a pocosin, is found only in the Southeastern Coastal Plain.
Fens
Fens are ground water-fed peatforming wetlands covered by grasses, sedges, reeds, and wildflowers. Willow and birch are also common. Fens, like bogs, tend to occur in glaciated areas of the northern United States.
Fens are ground water-fed peatforming wetlands covered by grasses, sedges, reeds, and wildflowers. Willow and birch are also common. Fens, like bogs, tend to occur in glaciated areas of the northern United States.
Click to set custom HTML
WETLAND BENEFITS
- Erosion control. Wetland vegetation reduces erosion along lakes and stream banks by reducing forces associated with wave action.
- Fisheries habitat. Many species of fish utilize wetland habitats for spawning, food sources, or protection.
- Flood control. Wetlands can slow runoff water, minimizing the frequency streams and rivers reach catastrophic flood levels.
- Ground water recharge and discharge. Some wetlands serve as a source of ground water recharge. By detaining surface waters that would otherwise quickly flow to distant lakes or rivers, the water can percolate into the ground and help ensure long-term supplies of quality ground water. Some wetlands are ground-water discharge areas; they receive ground water even during dry periods. This helps reduce the impact of short-term droughts on rivers and streams.Natural filter. By trapping and holding water, wetlands store nutrients and pollutants in the soil, allowing cleaner water to flow in to the body of water beyond or below the wetland. Vegetation, like cattails, can absorb some of the pollutants that remain in the soil. Wetlands also moderate water flows, providing time for sediments to settle out before the water is released to other wetlands, lakes, or streams. Less sediment means clearer waters and a better environment for aquatic life.
- Drinking water quality. Wetlands improve water quality in nearby rivers and streams, and thus have considerable value as filters for future drinking water
- Rare species habitat. 43 per cent of threatened or endangered species in the U.S. live in or depend on wetlands. This includes plants and animals.Recreation. Wetlands are great places to canoe, hunt, fish, or explore and enjoy nature.
- Source of income. Wetlands provide economic commodities such as cranberries and fish and provide spatial amenities to developments.
- Recreation. Wetlands are inviting places for recreational activities including hiking, fishing, bird watching, hunting and boating.
- Shoreline stabilization. Wetlands that occur along the shoreline of lakes or along the banks of rivers and streams help protect the shoreline soils from the erosive forces of waves and currents. The wetland plants act as a buffer zone by dissipating the water's energy and providing stability by binding the soils with their extensive root systems.
- Wildlife habitat. Many animals depend on wetlands for homes and resting spots. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, aquatic insects and certain mammals need wetlands as a place for their young to be born and grow.
- Education. Wetlands provide ideal locations for classroom ecological studies and a focus for art.