An Overview of Wetland
Wetlands are known to be a type of water body. Wetlands constitute an area of land that is covered by water. The soil in these wetlands can be used for farming during the growing season. There are certain characteristics of wetlands that create some amazing facts about them. Our planet has so many things yet to reveal and it is quite amazing that scientists and researchers have grasped some amazing wetland facts and characteristics of wetlands. Let us learn about some of the best and most amazing wetland information.
Wetlands
Formation of Wetlands
Before we discuss facts about wetlands, it is important to know how wetlands are formed in the first place. The answer is that they are formed when water gathers on top of the soil and thus a wetland is formed. The formation of wetlands by humans in agricultural fields explains the freshwater wetlands that are used for cultivating certain crops. However, freshwater wetlands that are formed in certain places include freshwater and they remain flooded. The fertility in these freshwater wetlands could be one of the best fertilisers for crops because they consist of sedges, grasses, and emergent plants.
Formation of Wetlands
Types of Wetlands
Surprisingly, there is not just one single type of wetlands found on the planet because there are many types of wetlands. Researchers have got a hold of four types of wetlands and wetland information for each type of wetland differs when it comes to its characteristics. The four types of wetlands are:
Marsh wetlands
Swamp wetlands
Bog wetlands
Fen wetlands
Also, there were some experts who said that wetland types are not just limited to the above four types of wetlands only. These experts have recognized wet meadows and aquatic ecosystems as the other two additional types of wetlands.
Life in Wetlands
You would be surprised to know that irrespective of what size may be, life may exist in wetlands as well. Life in wetlands has become quite suitable for certain types of plants because they have adapted to water logging underneath. The only fact that certain types of plants survive in wetlands is because of the nutrients trapped in the bottom of the water.
Wetlands have a direct effect on human beings and as well as animals. It was found that wetlands are responsible for purifying and replenishing our water. Apart from that, rice is cultivated in wetlands which after harvesting is responsible for feeding a billion people.
Amazing and Exciting Facts about Wetlands
It is time to know some of the unknown and exciting facts about wetlands. These facts that are mentioned below also reveal some of the most interesting wetland information that you should know about.
Water is the main constituent of a wetland. Apart from the soil, minerals and nutrients, water is the main constituent of a wetland.
Wetlands are home to a wide variety of living species. Yes, not just small fishes and plants but there are several different species that depend on wetlands to live.
More than 20,000 species depend on wetlands to survive. Wetlands have a great influence on human beings as well because they are responsible for making lands fertile.
Wetlands also mean they are natural water filters. Nature never stops surprising us and it is the same about wetlands as well. Some wetland information suggests that they might be salty or just normal but they can be a great water filter.
Wetlands can store more carbon than rainforests. It is said that rainforests contribute the most oxygen and take in carbon but the interesting fact is that it is wetlands that take in the most carbon.
Summary
Wetlands have contributed to nature almost as equally as any other natural thing in the world. Life in wetlands becomes food for some animals and also has an effect on agricultural lands as well. Many animals and plants survive because wetlands form and remain flooded for many seasons. Wetland information that is studied today may not be all because many experts say that there are still so many types of wetlands that have not been identified yet. We hope you enjoyed reading this article, in case of any other doubts, feel free to ask in the comments.
FAQs on Wetland Facts
1. What are the characteristics of wetlands?
Wetlands do have characteristics which make them unique from other water bodies present on the planet Earth. Some of those characteristics are listed below:
Wetlands are covered with water mostly along with other components like minerals, animals, and plants.
The soil lying underneath remains undrained hydric soil.
2. What is the importance of wetlands?
Wetlands play a major role in fertilising soil and also they remain home to more than 20,000 species on the planet. Human beings also benefit from wetlands because they are able to cultivate rice which feeds half the population of the planet.
3. Why should people protect wetlands?
Wetlands are the reason why flooding could be prevented. They are also the reason why more carbon is absorbed even more than in rainforests. Aquatic life in wetlands has proven that they can also contribute to a better and much cleaner ecosystem.
4. Explain freshwater wetlands.
Freshwater wetlands are not connected to the oceans. They can be found alongside a lake or a small water body.
