Giddy up! Please review

Objectives #8-16 for today’s quiz!

Differences? “river” vs. “wetland”

Legal definition of a “wetland”Wet soils

Anaerobic – lack oxygen; grey in colorWater loving plants

ChordgrassBladderwartSedges, rushes, reeds

HydrologyStanding water at least two weeks of the year

Floating water plants

Emergent water plants

Wetland ecosystem servicesSoak up flood watersNursery for fish, shrimp, crabsRest stops for migratory birdsHighly productive ecosystems – food! (rice)Protection from erosion during stormsRecreational opportunities

Half of the original wetlands have been destroyed!

Threats to wetlandsHistorically, they

were considered “wastelands”

Urban developmentAgriculture

But! We can bring them back!Restoration projects in our area.

Wetlands remove water pollutantsSedimentOxygen demanding wastesAcidsPlant nutrients (nitrates/phosphates)

Constructed wetlands can be used to clean water

Wastewater is initially treated in an underground primary and secondary treatment system (SANTEC Model SC-26K) before being pumped to the tertiary system.  Eight of the treatment cells were planted with a variety of broad- and narrow-leaved emergent plants, and six of the cells were planted with three species of woody plants.  Capacity of the system in 1994 was 6,800 galloons per day and, when plants matured, final capacity was 13,800 gallons per day.