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Article Title: Wetlands Author/Source: John A. Kusler, William J. Mitsch and Joseph S.

Larson

A: List the major ideas, concepts or key points- point by point - Variously dry, wet or anywhere between, wetlands are by their nature protean. - These shallow water-fed systems are central to the life cycle of many plants and animals, some of them endangered. - Wetlands also have commercial and utilitarian functions. They are sources of lucrative harvests of wild rice, furbearing animals, fish and shellfish. - Wetlands also been considered "nature's kidneys" for their ability to reduce wave impacts, convey floodwater, trap sediment, and reduce pollution. - Some states have almost entirely lost their wetlands. - Their management and protection must incorporate a realistic denition, one that encompasses all these intricate ecosystems- from marshes, bogs and swamps to vernal pools, playa lakes and prairie potholes. - Most descriptions also note the presence of plants adapted to flooding, called hydrophytes, and hydric soils, which, when flooded, develop colors and odors that distinguish them from uplands soils. - Wetlands arise in at, tidally inundated but protected areas, such as salt marshes and mangrove swamps. Wetlands exist next to freshwater rivers, streams and lakes and their floodplains (such areas are often called riparian)

- Such wetlands comprise freshwater marshes, potholes, meadows, playas and vernal pools where vegetation is not woody, as well as swamps where it is. - Wetlands can also flourish on slopes and at the base of slopes, supplied by springs, and as bogs and fens fed by precipitation and groundwater. Finally, they can occur in cold climates where permafrost retains water and low evaporation rates prevail. - Rainfall can cause the Amazon River to rise 25 feet during a season and invade neighboring wetlands. - Most wetlands along rivers and coastlines as well as those that formed in depressions in the landscape are long-lived precisely because of events that people consider economically devastating. - Increased amounts of sediment, nutrients and pesticides from watersheds undergoing development can drastically alter the biological makeup of a wetland and overload its ability to purge pollutants if they are added beyond the wetlands ability to assimilate them. - There are ecosystems currently that have an increased sediment influx due to the clearing of land, however there is no mechanism to flush the increased out. - A decreased of sediments in wetlands have also lead to wetland loss. - A bill called HR 1330 treats wetlands like static water systems, and allow landowners to decide what time of year decide if an area is considered a wetland. The bill would require 21 days of saturation for all wetlands. - Though the bill requires the restoration of one wetland to compensate for the loss, different wetlands have different relationships with their immediate water source and therefore can range

in value and functions. Management of wetlands that satisfies everyone is difficult to achieve but there have been signs of hope. Water levels, soil and geologic information, and the immediate landscape are all part of preserving the wetland. B: Summarize the AUTHOR'S main point or idea- at LEAST 1-2 paragraphs The article Wetlands by John A. Kusler, William J. Mitsch and Joseph S. Larson was all about the wetlands and how is it important to people. Wetlands also have commercial and utilitarian functions. They are sources of lucrative harvests of wild rice, furbearing animals, fish and shellfish. Their management and protection must incorporate a realistic denition, one that encompasses all these intricate ecosystems- from marshes, bogs and swamps to vernal pools, playa lakes and prairie potholes. The wetlands are very important because it helps us hold the flooding water. For example flooding along the Mississippi has gotten worse due to less wetland. The wetlands help to contain the flooding waters, without them the excess water simply goes onto our normal land and floods. C: Write a reaction paragraph to the article stating your own thoughts on the topic, using specific citations from the article to support your views Through this article I learned how the wetlands are important, I also learned one more thing that the important thing I just learned now its starting to disappears. Some states have almost entirely lost their wetlands. the author said. Just because of humans needs, we destroyed anything including wetlands. The wetlands helped us hold the flooding water, then why dont we try to preserve it? We need to keep our wetlands and not because of our needs and then destroy the wetlands.

So What? Wetlands are important to people. Its holding the flooding water. They are sources of lucrative harvests of wild rice, furbearing animals, fish and shellfish. What If? The wetlands dont exist? Nothing to hold flooding water. Less animals and plants.

Says Who? John A. Kusler William J. Mitsch Joseph S. Larson

What does this remind me of? The water bottle. The wetlands just like a water bottle because its holding water.

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