Wetland Presentation - Final Version.pptx

Brief about wetlands and swamps

1. WETLANDS Presenter: Class: School/ College:

2. Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present near the surface for most of the year. They are found between land and water like the edge of a river, lake, or sea. Common examples include marshes, swamps, bogs, and mangroves. Wetlands can be freshwater or saltwater depending on their location. What is Wetland ?

3. Wetlands cover about 6% of Earth’s land surface. Nearly 40% of all plant and animal species live or breed in wetlands. Wet lands are typically low lying areas. Floodplains, swamps, marshes, mangroves deltas and lakes are some types of wetlands. A paddy farm is also a wetland. They can be coastal or in land. Wetlands can contain fresh water, salt water or brakish (a combination of the both) Facts about Wetlands

4. Definition of Wetland Wetlands are… are areas where land and water exist together for a long time. Ground in wetlands stays wet, soft, and muddy, either all year or during certain seasons. Wetlands are found near rivers, lakes, seas, or in low lying areas where rainwater collects. Wetland plants are called hydrophytes, which means “water loving plants.” Examples of hydrophytes include water lilies, reeds, cattails, and mangroves.

5. Importance of Wetlands Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystem in the world, comparable to rain and forest and coral reefs. They provide rich habitat for an immense variety of species of microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish an mammals . Many species of birds and mammals rely of wetlands for food, water and shelter, especially during migration and breeding.

6. Uses of Wetlands (Water Management) Wetlands store water when it is in excess and release it to the ground during dry periods. This helps in recharge and discharge of groundwater. They assist in flood control . They reduce the momentum of water as it flows to a river or a stream, thereby reducing soil erosion . They are also important to the nutrient cycle. Think of wetland as huge sponge.

7. Uses of Wetlands (Environmental) Wetlands plants and soil store carbon instead of releasing it to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. Thus they help moderate global climate. Wetlands help retain sediments and increase soil fertility. Plants that grow in wetlands are very effective in filtering out water pollution. Many wetlands remove pollutants from surface runoff and small streams. Mangroves can protect shorelines from strong winds and can reduce the impact of hurricanes and tsunamis.

8. THANK YOU