Ecosystems

Wetlands – Definition and Description

[DEFINITION/DESCRIPTION OF WETLANDS]
As explained by The Wetlands Initiative (n.d.), all wetland ecosystems share three characteristics: they all have water, either permanently, frequently, or seasonally; they have hydrophytic, water-loving plants; and they contain hydric soil that is repeatedly or consistently waterlogged. While all wetland ecosystems share these characteristics, there are many different types. Some of these main wetland ecosystems, each of which has its own subtypes, are marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens (EPA, 2024).
As a whole, wetlands help recharge groundwater supplies as water infiltrates the ground and flows to other bodies of water. They can also protect against flooding by slowing and storing excess flood water. As water passes through marshes, pollutants, and sediments settle to the marsh floor, and the plants help remove excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can otherwise cause the eutrophication of waterways.
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[MARSHES]
Marsh wetlands are permanent ecosystems saturated with 1-6 feet of standing or slowly moving water (The Wetlands Initiative, n.d.). Marshes are frequently found at the edges of other bodies of water and are home to rooted plants which grow under, up and out, or float on top of the water’s surface. Some common marsh plants are cattails, bulrushes, lotus, sedges, and water lilies (The Wetlands Initiative, n.d.). You’ll notice that most of these plants are soft-stemmed and adapted to saturated soil conditions, as noted by the EPA (2024). These plants take advantage of the rich nutrients marshes offer and can even help filter out excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from farming that would otherwise contaminate surface water (EPA, 2024).
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[SWAMPS]
Swamp wetlands, like marshes, are typically a permanent kind of ecosystem but with 0-2 feet of standing or slow-moving water (The Wetlands Initiative, n.d.). These ecosystems are dominated by woody plants like trees like Cypress, Atlantic White Cedar, and Tupelo; some can also have many shrub species like Buttonbush or Smooth Alder (EPA, 2024). Swamps are also home to many species of fish, birds, and invertebrates, including many which are endangered. Since there are different types of swamps and they vary geographically and with local climates, swamps can have quite different flora and fauna from one another.
Swamps are valuable ecosystems because of their nutrient rich soil and biodiversity. The large amounts of nutrients in swampy soil have led some to be drained for agricultural use; the timber of swamps can also be an economically valuable and useful resource to harvest (EPA, 2024).
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[BOGS]
Bog wetlands are usually peat-forming ecosystems and are fed by “sky water” coming from rain or snow. Since water from the atmosphere is slightly acidic, bogs are usually acidic environments inhabited by species like the northern pitcher plant, orchids, and ferns which have adapted to thrive in the acidic environment. (Friends of Volo Bog, n.d.). In general, bogs have less standing water than marshes and swamps. However, even at low water levels or during periods of drought, the ground of bogs is often saturated or moist. Bogs are also often peat-forming ecosystems. According to the Kentucky Geological Survey (n.d.), peat is “soil-like, partially decayed plant material that accumulates in wetlands.” Peat accumulates over time as dead plant and animal matter is waterlogged and begins breaking down. If the dead matter accumulates faster than it can fully break down, it becomes trapped under the ground’s surface, and new matter accumulates on top of it. Peat, after millions of years, undergoes a process called coalification, by which it is compacted and dried out, eventually becoming coal (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2024).
In the United States, bogs are found most frequently in the glaciated northeast around the Great Lakes, where there are northern bogs. This subtype of bog typically has lower temperatures and areas with high humidity and precipitation, keeping bogs moist. Pocosin bogs can also be found in the southeast, occupying the Atlantic Coastal Plains from about Virginia downward into northern Florida (EPA, 2024).
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[FENS]
Fen wetlands, another type of peat-forming ecosystem, receives its water from groundwater sources like springs, unlike bogs, which receive most of their water from rain and snow. Since fens are less acidic than bogs (and are, in fact, frequently alkaline), they are able to support a wider array of plant and animal species (The Wetlands Initiative, n.d.).
Fens are often occupied by grasses, sedges, rushes, and wildflowers. Over time, if dead plant matter accumulates faster than it can decompose, peat can build up. If sufficient peat builds up, a fen can be blocked off from its groundwater source(s), effectively turning it into a bog (EPA, 2024).
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References
Friends of Volo Bog. (n.d.). _What is a bog?_. Friends of Volo Bog. https://www.friendsofvolobog.org/what-is-a-bog
Kentucky Geological Survey. (n.d.). _Peat and Peatification_. Kentucky Geological Survey. https://www.uky.edu/KGS/coal/coal-peat.php
U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2024, October 24). _Coal explained_. U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/coal/
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, October 29). _Classification and Types of Wetlands_. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/…/classification-and-types-wetlands…
The Wetlands Initiative. (n.d.). _What is a wetland?_. The Wetlands Initiative. http://www.wetlands-initiative.org/what-is-a-wetland
Author and Photo Credit: Dylan Rogers, Valencia Student – Orlando Wetlands
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Scrubs

Scrubs are the remains of an archipelago that existed over 25 million years ago (Bostick, et al. 2005). Today, these ecosystems are characterized by low-quality sandy soil and are dominated by sand pines. The primary soil type is entisol which allows water to drain well and replenish the aquifer (The Nature Conservancy 1991).  Plant species within the area are fire-adapted (Abrahamson, 1984).

Fire regiments are typically every 20 to 80 years and are facilitated by resin from sand pines, which are highly flammable (Menges and Kohfeldt, 1995). As a result, a fire rapidly spreads through the system and climbs to the treetops, creating what is referred to as “crown fires.” The heat from these fires facilitates a serotinous response, opening of sand pinecones. This heat is necessary for the release of seeds (Brendemuehl, 1990). Following fire regiments, a large and diverse collection of seeds are dispersed to the understory and can remain dormant for several years (Carrington ME, 1997).

Most sand pine scrub fires occur between February and June, with approximately 80% occurring during this time (Cooper, 1973). Historically, the primary means of fire ignition was lightning (Komarek, 1964.) Now, management practices include prescribed burns and mechanical harvesting of pines, which are recommended between March and May (Main and Menges, 1997).

Conservation efforts are necessary to maintain a healthy habitat for wildlife and to prevent extinctions, but there are other values that make conservation of these areas so important. Scrubs produce a relatively small economic value, but it is important that practices for harvesting sand pines are sustainable.

One sector that has been working on best management practices for sustainable use is the timber industry. An average of 40,000 acres a year of timber is produced from scrubs (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2012). Sand pines are mostly used for wood pulp. To produce sufficient pulp, the trees need to be at least 35 years old. Alternative growth rotations are necessary to ensure a sustainable harvest that has led to a cost-effective strategy of preparing the ground for seeding. This strategy includes clear-cutting, roller chopping, seeding, and 35 years of growth (Hinchee and Garcia, 2017).

Photo: Pine pulp at a paper mill in Pensacola 1947.

 

References:

Abrahamson W. 1984. Species responses to fire on the Florida lake wales ridge. American Journal of Botany 71.

Bostick, K. Johnson SA, and Main MB. 2005. Florida geological history. UF/IFAS Extension.

Brendemuehl R.H. 1990. Pinus clausa (Chapm. ex Engelm.) Vasey ex Sarg., Sand Pine. Silvics of North America 1:294-301.

Carrington ME. 1997. Soil seed bank structure and composition in Florida sand pine. American Midland Naturalist 137(1).

Cooper, R.W. 1973. Fire and sand pine. Sand pine symposium proceedings. General technical report SE-2. Southeastern Forest Experiment Station, USDA Forest Service; Marianna, Florida. 207

Hinchee J and Garcia JO. 2017. Sand Pine and Florida Scrub-Jays—An Example of Integrated Adaptive Management in a Rare Ecosystem. Journal of Forestry 115:230-237

Komarek EV Sr. 1964. The natural history of lightning. Proceedings of the Tall Timbers fire ecology conference 8. Tall Timbers Research Station; Tallahassee, Florida.

The Nature Conservancy, Archbold Biological Station, Florida Natural Areas Inventory. 1991. Lake Wales/Highlands Ridge Ecosystem CARL Project Proposal, January 1991.

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Longleaf Pine

The Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) gets its name from the shape of its needle-like leaves. They can grow up to18 inches long and come in bundles of three. The tree with its thick, scaly bark grows almost completely straight, boasts a 3-foot diameter, and can reach 80 to 100 feet tall. These slow-growing trees can live up to 300 years.

Prior to restoration efforts, longleaf pines only occupied 3% of their former range. Forests of longleaf pine were cleared for development and agriculture.

Longleaf pine seeds are developed in cones and dispersed by the wind. They must find their way to soil to take root and grow. Fires caused by lightning would naturally clear away leaf litter and brush allowing this to take place. When the fire is suppressed, the seeds cannot reach the soil.

Once the seeds take root, they go through a grass stage. During this stage, the Longleaf pine starts to develop its central root, called a taproot, which will grow up to 12 feet long.  Once the taproot is firmly in the earth, the tree will begin to grow in height. Both the tree and the grass stage are resistant to fire.

There are more than 30 endangered and threatened species, including red-cockaded woodpeckers and indigo snakes who rely on the longleaf pine habitat. Longleaf pines are more resilient to the negative impacts of climate change than other pines. The tree can withstand severe windstorms, resist pests, tolerate wildfires and drought, as well as capture carbon pollution from the atmosphere. Restoration of Longleaf pine forests has become a major effort in Florida and gives us a renewed hope that these ecosystems and all who live there will thrive once again.

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Coral Reef

—-Coral Reef—-

Florida is the only state in the continental United States with a shallow coral reef near its coast. Coral reefs create specialized habitats that provide shelter, food, and breeding sites for numerous plants and animals.

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Wetlands

Florida is fortunate to have a unique area of wetlands. The Florida Everglades is made up of sawgrass marshes, coastal mangroves, and some

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