What Are Wetlands Upsc?

What defines a wetland?

Wetland—Land that (1) has a predominance of hydric soils; (2) is inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a fre- quency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil con- ditions; and (3) under normal circumstances does support a …

What are wetlands and why are they important?

Wetlands are vital ecosystems. Home to 40 percent of the world’s species, they protect us from flooding, provide food and clean water, and play a crucial role in combating climate change. But they are at risk. A wetland is an area of inland or coastal land partly covered, or saturated, by water.

What are the 4 functions of wetlands?

Water purification. Flood protection. Shoreline stabilization. Groundwater recharge and stream flow maintenance.

What are 5 facts about wetlands?

Wetlands are the “kidneys of the landscape” Wetlands can mitigate climate change. Wetlands are a habitat for biodiversity. Many of the world’s wetlands are degraded. Your Support for sustainable fishing can help protect wetlands.

What is wetland and its types?

A wetland is a type of ecosystem that is either partially or completely filled with water for most of the year and can be either human-made or naturally occurring. There are four main types of wetlands: marshes, bogs, fens, and swamps.

What are characteristics of a wetland?

Wetlands must have one or more of the following three attributes: 1) at least periodically, the land supports predominantly hydrophytes; 2) the substrate is predominantly undrained hydric soil; and 3) the substrate is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing season of each year.

What is the importance of wetlands Upsc?

Wetlands function as natural barriers that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater and flood waters. Wetland vegetation also slow the speed of flood waters lowering flood heights and reduces soil erosion. Wetlands are critical to human and planet life.

What are wetlands give examples?

Wetlands go by many names, such as swamps, peatlands, sloughs, marshes, muskegs, bogs, fens, potholes, and mires. Most scientists consider swamps, marshes, and bogs to be the three major kinds of wetlands. A swamp is a wetland permanently saturated with water and dominated by trees.

What are 6 reasons why wetlands are important?

Wetlands store our water to ensure supply during dry periods. Wetlands can prevent floods. Wetlands recharge ground water. Wetlands help to control erosion. Wetlands provide shelter for juvenile fish. Wetlands provide homes for animals and plants.

What are 3 benefits of wetlands?

Improved Water Quality. Wetlands can intercept runoff from surfaces prior to reaching open water and remove pollutants through physical, chemical, and biological processes. Erosion Control. Flood Abatement. Habitat Enhancement. Water Supply. Recreation. Partnerships. Education.