CW2: 3579
From Environmental Technology
Contents |
Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem
a) What are wetlands? How are wetlands characterized? What are some types of wetlands?
Wetlands are the transitional link between the water and the land. Scientists divide wetlands into two main groups: estuarine or palustrine wetlands. ‘Wetland’ refers collectively to marshes, swamps, bogs and similar areas found between dry land and water along the edges of streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and coastlines.
b) What are the functions of wetlands?
Healthy wetlands remove and retain excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from the water. Forested riparian (or streamside) wetlands remove about 80 percent of the phosphorous and 90 percent of the nitrogen from water, which act as water contaminants and may result in unhealthy algae blooms. Wetlands also can minimize sediment loads and absorb chemical and organic pollutants before they can enter the Chesapeake Bay.
c) What is the percentage loss of Forest in the Bay area? How many tree and plant species are in the Bay area?
Forests once covered 95 percent of the watershed. Today, they cover about 60 percent, performing vital functions that benefit water and air quality. More than 50 major tree species and more than 2,700 different plant species grow in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
d) What are the functions of the Forest?
Forests protect the water quality. Forests act as ‘sponges’ by capturing rainfall, reducing runoff, maintaining the flow of streams, filtering nutrients and sediment and stabilizing soils. They create a habitat for fish and wildlife. Healthy forests provide food, shelter, nesting sites and safe migration paths for the Chesapeake Bay’s aquatic and land animals. Forests also improve air quality. Forests absorb or trap nitrogen, particulates and other pollutants in the atmosphere that are released by cars, factories, farming and construction. Forests encourage recreation. Forests offer us places in which to reflect and experience natural beauty and solitude. They foster active outdoor recreation, such as fishing, hiking, camping and cross-country skiing. They also contribute to the economy. Forests produce wood for paper, building materials, fabrics such as rayon, and even food and medicines. The forest products industry is an important source of jobs for rural areas and small cities in the Bay watershed.
