Florida : Wetland Environments
Marshes have sedges and grasses that have flowing, shallow water. Swamps are forests with different levels of water depending on the time of year and water cycle. Bogs are covered in velvety mosses.
How are fresh wetlands different?
The access to water, the basic need for abundant life, allows wetlands to be core to life.
How are wetlands similar as a home to a wide variety of habitats with a great deal of diversity?
Water moves slowly through the wetland and some of the waste materials settle out. Buttonwood, alligator flag and pickerel weed and other plants absorb wastes and convert them into food for endangered species.
How do wetlands reduce water pollution?
wetland
What is a land area that is covered with a shallow layer of water during some or all of the year; a soggy region?
bog
What has mosses, liverworts and thrives in the acidic water ? This wetland has colorful flowers that dot the bed of velvety moss.
marsh
What is a grassy area covered with shallow water?
salt marshes
What are found along both coasts of the United States that have tall strong grasses growing in the rich, muddy bottoms ? Some of the grasses are turtle grass and spartina grass with all kinds of life growing on and among them.
mangrove forests
What are found along the southeastern coast of the United States and they are named red, white or black? The reds have thick prop roots.
common types of freshwater wetlands
What are marshes, swamps and bogs?
coastal wetlands
What are salt marshes and mangrove forests?
swamp
What looks like a flooded forest with nursery logs and curtains of moss hanging from the trees?
We need our planet and its wetlands to have abundant and sustainable life.
Why do these things matter? Wetlands provide: sheltered waters and rich supply of nutrients, land development, water purification and provide habitats for many living things.
These three activities threaten the Florida Everglades and all wetlands.
Why do we need to be mindful of our local agriculture; urban development and the introduction of new species?
We are trying to preserve the Everglades for the future.
Why do we spend so much money on an elaborate system of pipes that refills some drained areas with fresh water; so that the supply of water around and within the Everglades are managed?
The importance of wetlands to people are because of their ability to control floods, make storms less dangerous, filter our water and store water for drinking for future generations.
Why do wetlands matter especially to people?