Wetlands

Definition

Wetlands are ecosystems characterized by the presence of water, either permanently or seasonally, and support a variety of plant and animal life. They play a crucial role in maintaining environmental balance by acting as natural filters, absorbing excess nutrients and pollutants, and providing habitat for numerous species. Wetlands are vital for water regulation, flood control, and supporting biodiversity, making them essential in discussions about human-induced changes in Earth systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Wetlands cover about 6% of Earth's land surface but are home to 40% of the world's plant and animal species.
2. They act as natural sponges, absorbing excess rainfall and reducing the risk of flooding in surrounding areas.
3. Wetlands help filter pollutants from water before it enters larger bodies like rivers and lakes, improving overall water quality.
4. Human activities such as drainage for agriculture and urban development have led to significant wetland loss globally, affecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
5. Wetlands sequester carbon dioxide, helping mitigate climate change by acting as carbon sinks.

Review Questions

• How do wetlands contribute to maintaining biodiversity in their ecosystems?
  • Wetlands contribute to biodiversity by providing unique habitats that support a wide variety of plant and animal species. The diverse environments found within wetlands, such as marshes, swamps, and bogs, create niches for different organisms to thrive. This rich biodiversity not only enhances ecosystem resilience but also ensures the survival of species that depend on wetland habitats for food and shelter.
• Discuss the impact of human-induced changes on wetland ecosystems and the consequences for surrounding environments.
  • Human-induced changes, such as urban development, agriculture, and pollution, have significantly impacted wetland ecosystems. These activities lead to habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation of wetland areas. As wetlands are destroyed or altered, their ability to filter pollutants diminishes, leading to degraded water quality in surrounding areas. Additionally, loss of wetlands increases vulnerability to flooding and reduces natural flood control mechanisms.
• Evaluate the role of wetlands in climate change mitigation strategies and the potential consequences of their loss.
  • Wetlands play a critical role in climate change mitigation by sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in biomass and soil. The loss of wetlands can release stored carbon back into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change effects. Moreover, as wetlands diminish due to human activity, their capacity to regulate water flow and provide habitat decreases. This not only impacts local biodiversity but also intensifies climate-related challenges such as flooding and droughts for surrounding communities.

Related terms

Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal species within an ecosystem, which contributes to resilience and stability of the environment.

Eutrophication: The process where water bodies become overly enriched with nutrients, often leading to excessive growth of algae that can deplete oxygen and harm aquatic life.

Habitat Loss: The destruction or alteration of natural environments, often due to human activities like urban development, agriculture, and pollution, which negatively impacts wildlife populations.