Hobbies And Interests
Water
Classifications of wetlands typically depend on their hydrological features such as rainfall, drainage and flooding cycles. All wetlands receive water from one of three sources: precipitation, groundwater or surface water. A hydroperiod of a wetland region is the seasonal pattern of water levels. Drastic changes in the normal cycles greatly affect biotic factors, which are living plant and animal species.
Climate
Wetlands do not have a specific climate. They exist in polar, temperate and tropical zones. Wet areas of land are sensitive to climate changes, such as the amount of rainfall and changes in temperature. Seasonal wetlands are dry for one or more seasons of the year. Many of the wetlands in the U.S. are in temperate zones where temperatures are rarely too hot or too cold. Wetlands in tropical zones near the equator are warm all year, and some areas experience extreme heat. Polar wetlands tend to be cold all year and often experience extremely cold temperatures of 60 degrees below zero.
Soil
Wetland soils are of two types -- mineral and organic -- both of which are saturated, flooded or pooled long enough through the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions. Organic soils have lower-density and higher-saturation capabilities than mineral soils, and are primarily composed of decomposing vegetation. Mineral soils are greenish or blue-gray in color due to gleization, or reduced iron content, with little to no organic content.
Landforms
A landform in a wetland area performs many functions, such as a habitat for wildlife; storage; and a conveyance of floodwaters and sediment. For these reasons, among others, the federal government and organizations such as the Conservation Reserve Program protect wetlands.