Wetlands

This presentation introduces 5th grade students to wetlands

1. Wetlands

2. What are wetlands Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season.  

3. Benefits of Wetlands Provide habitat for a wide variety and number of wildlife and plants. Filter, clean and store water - in other words, acting like kidneys for other ecosystems! Collect and hold flood waters. Absorb wind and tidal forces. Provide places of beauty and many recreational activities Wetlands also act like sponges by holding flood waters and keeping rivers at normal levels. Wetlands filter and purify water as it flows through the wetland system. Plants found in wetlands help control water erosion.

4. How wetlands work

5. Types of Wetlands marine (coastal wetlands including coastal lagoons, rocky shores, and coral reefs); estuarine (including deltas, tidal marshes, and mangrove swamps); lacustrine (wetlands associated with lakes); riverine (wetlands along rivers and streams); and palustrine (meaning “marshy” - marshes, swamps and bogs).

6. Wetlands in Trinidad and Tobago marine – Bon Accord lagoon estuarine – Caroni swamp, Nariva Swamp, Oropuche lagoon riverine – Godineau river, Marianne river palustrine – Buccoo Bay freshwater marsh

7. Wetlands in Trinidad and Tobago