Wetlands of Wetlands of VirginiaVirginiaSOL 6.7 and 6.5SOL 6.7 and 6.5

Wetlands – Basic Wetlands – Basic InformationInformation There are many types of wetlands, but they can There are many types of wetlands, but they can

be divided into several basic groups.be divided into several basic groups.

EstuariesEstuaries

SwampsSwamps

MarshesMarshes

BogsBogs Does Virginia have each of these types of Does Virginia have each of these types of

wetlands?wetlands? What has been done to destroy them?What has been done to destroy them? What can be done to preserve them?What can be done to preserve them?

The World’s WetlandsThe World’s Wetlands

Importance of WetlandsImportance of Wetlands Flood ProtectionFlood Protection

Water moves more slowly through Water moves more slowly through wetlands, and therefore keeps it out of the wetlands, and therefore keeps it out of the major streams and rivers like a sponge.major streams and rivers like a sponge.

Water filtration/purificationWater filtration/purificationWetlands naturally filter out sediment, Wetlands naturally filter out sediment,

and bacteria and plants naturally process a and bacteria and plants naturally process a number of pollutants.number of pollutants.

Habitats for a diversity of living creaturesHabitats for a diversity of living creaturesMore than one-third of the species listed More than one-third of the species listed

under the under the Endangered SpeciesEndangered Species Act are Act are dependent on wetlands for some part of their dependent on wetlands for some part of their life. life.

Wetlands exceed all other land types in Wetlands exceed all other land types in wildlife productivity .wildlife productivity .

Types of WetlandsTypes of Wetlands

The four main types of wetlands areThe four main types of wetlands areMarshesMarshesBogsBogsSwampsSwampsEstuariesEstuaries

There are many combinations and other There are many combinations and other ways to classify them, but we will stick to ways to classify them, but we will stick to these four basic types.these four basic types.

MarshesMarshes

A freshwater marsh is an inland area A freshwater marsh is an inland area covered with 1–6 feet of water, containing covered with 1–6 feet of water, containing a variety of grasses, flowers, and bushes, a variety of grasses, flowers, and bushes, rather than treesrather than trees, as in swamps. , as in swamps. 

Chickahominy River Chickahominy River Freshwater MarshFreshwater Marsh

Wouldn’t you like to fish Wouldn’t you like to fish here?here?

BogsBogs A bog is a peat-accumulating wetland. A bog is a peat-accumulating wetland.

Some shrubs and evergreens grow in Some shrubs and evergreens grow in bogs, as do mosses. Most water comes bogs, as do mosses. Most water comes from precipitation. There is usually no from precipitation. There is usually no direct inflow or outflow of water. direct inflow or outflow of water.

These pictures are from the Cranberry These pictures are from the Cranberry Glades in West Virginia.Glades in West Virginia.

Dolly Sods, West VirginiaDolly Sods, West Virginia

More about bogsMore about bogs Water in bogs is low in Water in bogs is low in

oxygen,  very acidic and oxygen,  very acidic and often cold! often cold!

Insect-eating plants like Insect-eating plants like pitcher plants and sundew pitcher plants and sundew often are found in  bogs.  often are found in  bogs. 

There aren't many fish in There aren't many fish in bogs because of the low bogs because of the low levels of oxygen in the levels of oxygen in the water.  water. 

And on a gruesome And on a gruesome note:note: Preserved bodies Preserved bodies are sometimes found in are sometimes found in bogs!  Decomposition bogs!  Decomposition happens so slowly, happens so slowly, anything that falls into a anything that falls into a bog, including animals and bog, including animals and people, can be preserved people, can be preserved for long periods of time! for long periods of time!

SwampsSwamps

Swamps are slow moving streams, rivers Swamps are slow moving streams, rivers or isolated depressions that host trees or isolated depressions that host trees and some shrubs. and some shrubs.

One of the most famous swamps is in One of the most famous swamps is in Virginia.Virginia.

The Great Dismal Swamp.The Great Dismal Swamp. Take a look!Take a look!

This is the Great Dismal This is the Great Dismal Swamp of VirginiaSwamp of Virginia

The Great Dismal The Great Dismal Swamp has been Swamp has been drastically altered by drastically altered by humans over the past humans over the past two centuries.two centuries.

Agricultural, commercial, and residential development destroyed more than half of the swamp.

What has happened to What has happened to the Great Dismal Swamp?the Great Dismal Swamp?

In May 1763, George Washington made his first visit to In May 1763, George Washington made his first visit to the Swamp and suggested draining it and digging a the Swamp and suggested draining it and digging a north-south canal through it to connect the waters of north-south canal through it to connect the waters of Chesapeake Bay in Virginia and Albemarle Sound in Chesapeake Bay in Virginia and Albemarle Sound in North Carolina. North Carolina.

He formed two businesses known as the Dismal He formed two businesses known as the Dismal Swamp Land Company and the Adventurers for Swamp Land Company and the Adventurers for Draining the Great Dismal Swamp. Draining the Great Dismal Swamp.

This group hoped to drain the Swamp, harvest the This group hoped to drain the Swamp, harvest the trees, and use the land for farming. trees, and use the land for farming.

The company purchased 40,000 acres of Swamp land The company purchased 40,000 acres of Swamp land for $20,000 in 1763. for $20,000 in 1763.

Washington directed the surveying and digging of the Washington directed the surveying and digging of the 5-mile long ditch from the western edge of the Swamp 5-mile long ditch from the western edge of the Swamp to Lake Drummond, known today as Washington Ditch. to Lake Drummond, known today as Washington Ditch.

What next?What next? Camp Mfg. Company, a predecessor of Union Camp, Camp Mfg. Company, a predecessor of Union Camp,

acquired all the Dismal Swamp Land Company's acquired all the Dismal Swamp Land Company's property in 1909. property in 1909.

Lumbering continued in the Swamp and by the 1950's Lumbering continued in the Swamp and by the 1950's the last 20,000 acres of virgin timber were removed.the last 20,000 acres of virgin timber were removed.

In 1973, Union Camp donated its Virginia swamp In 1973, Union Camp donated its Virginia swamp holdings to the Nature Conservancy which, in turn, holdings to the Nature Conservancy which, in turn, deeded it to the Department of the Interior for creation deeded it to the Department of the Interior for creation of the of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife RefugeGreat Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. .

The Refuge consists of 107,000 acres of forested The Refuge consists of 107,000 acres of forested wetlands surrounding Lake Drummond, a 3,100 acre wetlands surrounding Lake Drummond, a 3,100 acre natural lake located in the heart of the swamp. natural lake located in the heart of the swamp.

William Drummond, the first Governor of North William Drummond, the first Governor of North Carolina (1663-1667), discovered the oval lake which Carolina (1663-1667), discovered the oval lake which still bears his name. still bears his name.

EstuariesEstuaries

An estuary is the wide An estuary is the wide part of a river where it part of a river where it nears the sea.nears the sea.

Fresh and salt water Fresh and salt water mix.mix.

A wide variety of A wide variety of wetlands, fresh and wetlands, fresh and saltwater exist along saltwater exist along the edges of these the edges of these estuaries.estuaries.

The The Chesapeake Chesapeake Bay is an Bay is an estuary.estuary.

Fresh water Fresh water from the from the rivers mixes rivers mixes with the salt with the salt water from water from the Atlantic.the Atlantic.

Estuaries (continued)Estuaries (continued)

Estuaries are special places where Estuaries are special places where lifelife thrives! thrives! Chesapeake Bay is Chesapeake Bay is no exceptionno exception! The Bay ! The Bay watershed is home to more than 3,600 species watershed is home to more than 3,600 species of of plantsplants and animals. and animals.

The Bay watershed is also home to 15.1 million The Bay watershed is also home to 15.1 million people.people.

  Because salt water is heavier than fresh water, Because salt water is heavier than fresh water, estuaries like Chesapeake Bay contain two estuaries like Chesapeake Bay contain two layers: a saltier layer that lies on the bottom layers: a saltier layer that lies on the bottom and a freshwater layer above. Mixing occurs and a freshwater layer above. Mixing occurs where the two layers meet. where the two layers meet.

Chesapeake Bay EstuaryChesapeake Bay Estuary           The waters of the Chesapeake The waters of the Chesapeake

are saltiest near the mouth of the are saltiest near the mouth of the Bay and gradually become Bay and gradually become fresher northward. fresher northward.

The force of the earth's rotation The force of the earth's rotation makes salt water accumulate on makes salt water accumulate on the Eastern Shore, so water the Eastern Shore, so water tends to be saltier on the eastern tends to be saltier on the eastern side of the Bay at any latitude. side of the Bay at any latitude.

Overall, however, the proportions Overall, however, the proportions of fresh and salt water in the Bay of fresh and salt water in the Bay depend largely on the amount of depend largely on the amount of rainfall that flows out of the rainfall that flows out of the Chesapeake's major rivers. Chesapeake's major rivers.

During a wet year, the entire Bay During a wet year, the entire Bay will be somewhat fresher than will be somewhat fresher than normal, and conversely, a dry normal, and conversely, a dry year will result in higher-than-year will result in higher-than-average salinities. average salinities.

So now you know…So now you know…

…….what wetlands are and why they are .what wetlands are and why they are important.important.

You can tell the difference between You can tell the difference between marshes, swamps, bogs, and estuaries.marshes, swamps, bogs, and estuaries.

How about a look at the problems we How about a look at the problems we have caused in these natural wonders, have caused in these natural wonders, and how we are trying to solve them.and how we are trying to solve them.

Wetland DestructionWetland Destruction

Of the original 215 million acres of wetlands Of the original 215 million acres of wetlands existing 200 years ago in the continental existing 200 years ago in the continental United States, less than 100 million acres United States, less than 100 million acres remain. remain.

Wetland losses from the 1950’s to the 1970’s Wetland losses from the 1950’s to the 1970’s averaged about 458,000 acres per year. averaged about 458,000 acres per year. Agricultural development was responsible for Agricultural development was responsible for about 87 percent of this loss. about 87 percent of this loss.

Of the 100 million acres of wetlands remaining Of the 100 million acres of wetlands remaining in the continental U.S., Florida has the most, in the continental U.S., Florida has the most, with 11 million acres. Next are Louisiana (8.8 with 11 million acres. Next are Louisiana (8.8 million), Minnesota (8.7 million), and Texas (7.6 million), Minnesota (8.7 million), and Texas (7.6 million).million).

Check out the MapCheck out the Map

A Major ProblemA Major Problem The remaining wetlands, in millions of acres, are:The remaining wetlands, in millions of acres, are: Coastal Wetlands - 5.1 Coastal Wetlands - 5.1

Inland Marshes and Wet Meadows - 28.6 Inland Marshes and Wet Meadows - 28.6 Inland Shrub Swamps - 10.4Inland Shrub Swamps - 10.4Inland Forested Wetlands - 46.3Inland Forested Wetlands - 46.3Other Inland Wetlands - 6.1 Other Inland Wetlands - 6.1

A lot of wetland loss is attributable to agricultural A lot of wetland loss is attributable to agricultural activities, such as draining, diking and plowing of activities, such as draining, diking and plowing of wetlands. wetlands.

Other human activities that lead to wetlands Other human activities that lead to wetlands destruction include:destruction include:Development projects, such as subdivisions, shopping Development projects, such as subdivisions, shopping

malls and malls and business parks business parks Dikes and levees along rivers to divert flood waters Dikes and levees along rivers to divert flood waters Pollution Pollution Logging Logging Mining Mining Road construction Road construction Non-native invasive plants Non-native invasive plants GrazingGrazing

Fixing the ProblemFixing the Problem In the 1990’s wetland losses have decreased In the 1990’s wetland losses have decreased

to an average of about 117,000 acres per to an average of about 117,000 acres per year, due to year, due to Passage of the federal government Passage of the federal government Clean Water Clean Water

ActAct State and local government wetland protections.State and local government wetland protections. The vigilance of community conservationists who The vigilance of community conservationists who

challenge the ongoing draining and filling of challenge the ongoing draining and filling of wetlands. wetlands.

Virginia State Water Control LawVirginia State Water Control Law which states that which states that when Virginia Water Protection permits are issued, when Virginia Water Protection permits are issued, such “permits should contain requirements for such “permits should contain requirements for compensating impacts on wetlands”. compensating impacts on wetlands”.

The law further states that “…such compensation The law further states that “…such compensation requirements shall be sufficient to achieve no net requirements shall be sufficient to achieve no net loss of existing wetlands acreage and functions…” loss of existing wetlands acreage and functions…” (§ (§ 62.1-44.15:5D, Code of Virginia62.1-44.15:5D, Code of Virginia). ).

Think About It?Think About It?

Preventing wetlands loss is good for the Preventing wetlands loss is good for the economy, because filling or draining wetlands economy, because filling or draining wetlands costs a lot of money in lost tourist dollars, costs a lot of money in lost tourist dollars, reduction of fisheries, repairing flood damage. reduction of fisheries, repairing flood damage.

It also costs a lot more to restore a wetland It also costs a lot more to restore a wetland that to just protect it in the first place. that to just protect it in the first place.

What can you do to help prevent the What can you do to help prevent the destruction of wetlands in your area?destruction of wetlands in your area?

What Have You Learned?What Have You Learned?

What are the four main types of wetlands?What are the four main types of wetlands?marshes, bogs, swamps, estuariesmarshes, bogs, swamps, estuaries

What are three reasons for why wetlands are valuable?What are three reasons for why wetlands are valuable?flood protection, water treatment, diverse life habitatsflood protection, water treatment, diverse life habitats

A wetland with 1–6 feet of water, containing a variety of grasses, flowers, and A wetland with 1–6 feet of water, containing a variety of grasses, flowers, and bushes is called a __?__.bushes is called a __?__.marshmarsh

A forested wetland is called a __?__.A forested wetland is called a __?__.swampswamp

A __?__ is a peat-accumulating wetland.A __?__ is a peat-accumulating wetland.bogbog

An __?__ is where freshwater and saltwater mix providing for many different types An __?__ is where freshwater and saltwater mix providing for many different types of wetlands.of wetlands.estuaryestuary

The __?__ consists of 107,000 acres of forested wetlands surrounding Lake The __?__ consists of 107,000 acres of forested wetlands surrounding Lake Drummond.Drummond.Great Dismal SwampGreat Dismal Swamp

What human activities have cut down the size of the Great Dismal Swamp?What human activities have cut down the size of the Great Dismal Swamp?Logging, building/development, tourismLogging, building/development, tourism

What Have You LearnedWhat Have You Learned

The __?__ is an estuary that is home to more than 3,600 species of plants and The __?__ is an estuary that is home to more than 3,600 species of plants and animals. animals. Chesapeake BayChesapeake Bay

Name three factors that affect the saltiness of the bay waters?Name three factors that affect the saltiness of the bay waters?North to South distance to the mouth of the bay, east to west because of the North to South distance to the mouth of the bay, east to west because of the Earth;s rotation, amount of rainfallEarth;s rotation, amount of rainfall

Of the original 215 million acres of wetlands existing 200 years ago in the Of the original 215 million acres of wetlands existing 200 years ago in the continental United States, less than __?__ acres remain.continental United States, less than __?__ acres remain.100 million100 million

Name four human practices that destroy wetlands.Name four human practices that destroy wetlands.draining, diking and plowing of wetlandsdraining, diking and plowing of wetlandsreal estate developmentreal estate development road constructionroad constructionminingmining

Name three human policies that slow down the wetland destruction today?Name three human policies that slow down the wetland destruction today?The Clean Water ActThe Clean Water Actcommunity conservationists who challenge the ongoing draining and filling of community conservationists who challenge the ongoing draining and filling of wetlands. wetlands. Virginia State Water Control LawVirginia State Water Control Law

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