To manage our wetland resources, people need to know:
61. that a wetland is an area where the water table is close to the surface of the ground.
, , ,
62. that swamps are wetlands in which the water table drops far enough in the summer to allow trees to grow.
, , ,
63. that marshes are wetlands in which the water table stays too close to the surface of the ground year round to allow trees to grow.
, , ,
64. that wetlands act as natural water filters by slowing down the flow of surface water, allowing sediments to settle out of suspension in the wetland instead of downstream.
, ,
65. that active wetland plants such as cattails remove some dissolved solids from water, so that water passing through a wetland may come out cleaner than it went in.
, ,
66. that when runoff passing through a wetland is slowed, it has a chance to soak into the ground, recharging groundwater aquifers.
, ,
67. that wetlands temporarily store flood waters, creating lower flood peaks and maintaining the flow of water in streams longer after storms.
, ,
68. that wetlands provide valuable wildlife habitat by providing water, food, and shelter.
, ,
69. that wetlands can provide direct resources to people, such as food, fiber (wood), and recreation/aesthetic values.
, ,
70. that half of this nations wetlands have been lost to development, farming, and reservoirs.
, ,
71. the location and type of wetland near their homes.