RNR 1001 Chapter : RNR 1001 27th Feb 15
Document Summary
Seven types of wetlands: tidal salt marshes (not too diverse, but productive) Tidal changes, physiological challenge: tidal freshwater marshes (usually no salinity, tidal damming) Dominated by freshwater hydrophytes- very productive: mangrove wetlands- in danger because of cutting down for shrimping. Replace tidal slat marshes in tropical and subtropical climates (texas, Dominated by rhizophora (red), avicennia (black) mangroves. Mangrove roots important for substrate stability: freshwater marshes. Shallow, dominated by emergent vegetation like cattails and rushes. Huge losses to agriculture: northern peatlands. Peat deposits in northern biomes, partially decomposed plant material, highly leached, acidic, nutrient deficient. Thick peat layers in old lake basins: southern deepwater swamps. Standing water for most of the year. Dominated by taxodium distichum and nyssa aquatic. Often tied to large rive systems e. g. atchafalaya basin and okefenokee, ga. High habitat and biotic diversity: riparian wetlands. Often characterized by oaks, magnolia, and willow, depending on soil moisture.
