WetlandsWetlands

What is a watershed?What is a watershed?It is not a shed that holds water!!A watershed is an area of land that water

flows across as it moves to a larger body of water

Now that you know what a watershed is and you have some knowledge of what wetlands are:◦Make a T chart: One side my Watershed and the

other My Community.◦Make a list of words describing the watershed

found here and also where your house is◦Then write a summary in one sentence how they

are alike

WatershedsWatershedsNow that we know the river basins that

affect our school yard, think about how people alter these basins.◦List these (at least 3 ways)

Draw a basic map of the school property◦Label the direction water travels/drains when it

rains◦Show high and low areas (pond, parking lots,

buildings, etc)

FactoidFactoid - Did you know?- Did you know?

…If you viewed a watershed from an airplane, you would most likely see a very interesting sight below? The drainage patterns of the watershed may look like the branches of a tree, a complex road system or even the human nervous system.

…in one year a large oak tree will transpire about 40,000 gallons of water (152,200 liters)? That’s a lot of water!

What is a wetland?What is a wetland?

According to the EPA, wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present at or near the surface.◦In other words it is land that at one point

becomes saturated?

Swamp – NE NC Bog – Plymouth, NC

Wetlands include a wide variety of aquatic plants

Wetlands are transition areas between dry uplands and aquatic systems (ie. Rivers, lakes or oceans)

To be considered a wetland, a region must have wet soils or be covered by a shallow layer of water for at least part of the year

WetlandsWetlands

Wetlands, cont.Wetlands, cont.

Wetlands are natural reservoirs that hold water, much like a sponge in your kitchen.

Since water and soil is saturated, we use the term “hydric”

North Carolina Wetland MapNorth Carolina Wetland Map

Eastern North Carolina is the land of many wetlands.◦More than 40 different types have been

identified by botanists

Types of WetlandsTypes of Wetlands

More Wetland Types…More Wetland Types…

EstuariesSwamps

◦Freshwater (forested)◦Slough

FensMangrove WetlandsWet PrairieSedge MeadowRiparian WetlandsMarshes

◦Salt water◦Fresh water Tidal Fresh water Marsh

Description of wetlandsDescription of wetlands

Importance of WetlandsImportance of Wetlands

There are 5 functions of wetlands:1)Improve water quality:2)Provide Flood Protection3)Prevent Shoreline Erosion4)Provide Wildlife Habitat5)Provide areas for recreation

Improve Water QualityImprove Water QualityWetland plants and soils act as a filter,

trapping pollutants as they move through the ecosystem. •If the water eventually seeps into underground water supplies, it is much cleaner than it was when it entered the wetland.• Known as “nature’s kidneys”

Improve Water QualityImprove Water Quality

Wetlands are known as “nature’s kidneys” because they help clean out the pollutants that move through them◦They purify and filter contaminants from

agriculture activities◦They filter water that drains and flows off the

surface of the land

Provide Flood ProtectionProvide Flood ProtectionDuring periods of heavy precipitation,

water often flows into low-lying wetlands.

•These wetlands can store excess water and prevent damage to residential or commercial areas.

Provide Flood ProtectionProvide Flood Protection

Wetlands act as giant sponges They absorb heavy rainfall

Those located along the coast serve as a natural barrier from storm surges

Store WaterStore WaterWetlands are important storage areas that

collect rainwater. ◦Some of the water soaks into the ground to

refill the aquifer.

Some is gradually released either back to the atmosphere or to other surface bodies of water

Provide Wildlife HabitatProvide Wildlife HabitatMany plant and animal species depend on

wetlands for survival. They help serve as a nursery

In addition, sheltered and nutrient-rich wetlands serve as ideal nursery areas for a wide variety of animals

Provide Areas of RecreationProvide Areas of Recreation

Humans can visit wetlands to enjoy a number of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing, boating, hiking and bird watching.

Stormwater SystemsStormwater Systems

A stormwater system is a tool for managing the runoff from rainfall◦When water can’t soak directly in the ground it

flows into grates, swales or ditches located around town.

◦These in turn send water into a stormwater pond (if one has been created)

◦The purpose of this pond is to prevent flooding and remove pollutants before water can infiltrate into the ground water.

Stormwater SystemsStormwater Systems

SwaleDitchGrate

A linear retention system. Constructed or natural to allow water to flow to other

bodies of water.

Water QualityWater Quality

We tend to think water will always be clean forever.

Water is the GREATEST gift of nature…◦But, we pollute a lot.◦We, as humans, have exploited our great

natural gift to a level where water pollution is impossible to control.

• Water Pollution is the contamination of water bodies.

Water PollutionWater Pollution

Industries and Agriculture are big contributors of water pollution◦It not only affects the water quality, but it

damages the life of aquatic species◦When it gets into the water supply like a lake or

pond it can create Eutrophication

EutrophicationEutrophication

Water Pollution FactsWater Pollution Facts

14 Billion pounds of garbage (mostly plastic) is dumped into the ocean every year

About 70% of industrial waste is dumped into water and it pollutes the usable water supply.

 In America, 40% of the rivers and 46% of the lakes are polluted and are considered unhealthy for swimming, fishing or aquatic life.

Water pollution is the major cause of various diseases like cholera and typhoid.

U.S. EPA estimates, every year in the U.S, 1.2 trillion gallons of sewage from household, industry and restaurants is dumped in to U.S. water annually.

Water Pollution Facts, Cont.Water Pollution Facts, Cont.

About 700 million people worldwide drink contaminated water.

Storm water from streets, parking lots, and otherpaved surfaces (known as urban runoff) carries pollution directly into our waters

Agricultural runoff is also one of the leading sources of water impairment for rivers and streams, estuaries, and lakes 

In 2008 the Gulf of Mexico dead zone was estimated to be 7,988 sq. miles, roughly the size of New Jersey. 

Nonpoint Source PollutionNonpoint Source Pollution

Nonpoint Source comes from many different sources.◦Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides

from agricultural lands and residential areas◦Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban

runoff and energy production◦Sediment from improperly managed

construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding stream banks

◦Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines

◦Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, and faulty septic system

Point Source PollutionPoint Source Pollution

EPA Defines this as “any single identifiable source of pollution from which pollutants are discharged”

•Factories and sewage treatment plants are 2 common sources.

Protecting WaterProtecting Water

Clean Water Act of 1972 was put into place in order to protect our water.◦It regulates the discharge of pollutants into the

waters of the US.◦It regulates the quality standards for surface

waters.◦This act has set wastewater standards for

industry

PreservingPreserving

Promote Water EfficiencyPreserve Water EcosystemsReduce air pollution, wasted energy and

amount of deforested lands to correct climate change

Careers in Wetland EnvironmentsCareers in Wetland Environments

Botanist – Studies plants and plant lifeAquatic Biologist – Studies plants and animals

that live in freshwater ecosystems, including wetlands

Geologist – studies earth and physical processes that change it

Zoologist – studies animals, not necessarily those at a zoo

Environmentalist – Studies the environment and advocates the protection of the environment

Make your own WatershedMake your own Watershed

Now we are going to create our own watershed.◦Get into groups of 2-3◦Take 1 lab sheet per group◦Grab all the supplies for the lab (except the

pollutants◦Begin by reading the background knowledge