How does wetlands work

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Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rain forests and coral reefs. An immense variety of species of microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals can be part of a wetland ecosystem. Physical and chemical features such as climate, landscape shape topology , geology and the movement and abundance of water help to determine the plants and animals that inhabit each wetland.

The complex, dynamic relationships among the organisms inhabiting the wetland environment are referred to as food webs. Water lilies, turtles, frogs , ducks, snakes , dragonflies , minnows, herons, sticky black muck, monsters, the body of Jimmy Hoffa. What do these things have in common? A wetland is an area between dry land and water that is regularly saturated with surface or ground water. In fact, it's inundated with this water so consistently that vegetation and animals that thrive in wet conditions take up residence there.

You can find wetlands on every continent on the planet, with the exception of Antarctica [source: EPA ]. Since wetlands are so common and found almost everywhere, why is wetland preservation such a big deal?

Actually, up until the mids, it wasn't. Wetlands were viewed as wild areas that needed to be controlled. The U. Army Corps of Engineers, in particular, spent a lot of time draining wetlands for future development or agriculture.

In fact, since European settlers first arrived in what would become the United States, U. That's a 50 percent loss. During the s, people began to recognize the benefits of wetlands. Typically, it takes between years for these landscapes to appear established. Simply register your details, and William Agnew, Estate Manager, will be in touch with you to answer any questions.

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