Wetlands

Wetlands = systems that combine elements of freshwater and dry land
Freshwater marshes = shallow water allows plants to grow above the water’s surface
Swamps = shallow water that occurs in forested areas
Can be created by beavers
Bogs = ponds covered in thick floating mats of vegetation
A stage in aquatic succession

Wetlands are extremely valuable for wildlife
They slow runoff
Reduce flooding
Recharge aquifers
Filter pollutants
People have drained wetlands, mostly for agriculture
Southeastern (Potholes region) Canada has lost more than half of their wetlands