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Water Biome: Freshwater continued
Wetlands
Wetlands are water habitats such as swamps, marshes, flood plains, mangroves and bogs. They are found in low lying areas or alongside rivers, lakes and streams. They have water for at least part of the year. They have a natural supply of water, from flooding rivers, tidal flows or connection with groundwater.
©[2008] Jupiterimages Corporation
Wetlands form
an intermediate zone in between land and water. They are neither
one nor the other, but a combination of both.
Wetlands are important. Those alongside rivers prevent flooding by absorbing the excess water when the river is high. They release water into the river when it is low. They filter and purify surface water. Wetlands also release plant matter into rivers, which helps feed fish.
Wetlands are a rich source of life, both
plant and animal. Many migrating birds move from wetland to wetland
on their migration journey. Others nest in wetland areas. Amphibians
and reptiles make their home in wetlands.
Wetlands are part of other biomes, and improve the environment as they help control water flow and purify the water system by filtering out sediments.
People used to think of wetlands as wasteland, and many wetlands
were drained and converted to other uses. Although the value of
wetlands is now recognised, they are still disappearing rapidly.
Click here to find out about Mangroves in Australia (wetlands)
©[2008] Jupiterimages Corporation
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Animals in wetlands |
Find out about other biomes:
| rainforest | tundra | desert |
| taiga | grassland | deciduous forest |
updated © [2008] kidcyber
