An Eastern Queens Alliance Presentation

Specialized organ in the human body Responsible for many critical life functions
Acid : Base balance Natural filter Removal of waste Reabsorption of essential nutrients

Serve many crucial roles in the environment

Food Source Erosion Prevention Flood Protection Pest Control Waste Filtration

Explosion of small organisms provides as the base for a complex and rich food web Conditions ripe as nurseries for approximately 75-90% of all fish and shellfish harvested in America Primary rest stop for migratory birds

Wetlands like the one shown here slow down the flow of water. They also prevent debris from washing up on shore. The benefits of slowing the flow rate of water translates into reduced erosion. In fact, wetlands significantly prevent flood damage and even tsunami damage.

3 Contributing Factors
Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Plant Life
Halophytes Hydrophytes

Soil
Hydric

Micro and Macro Organisms

Anaerobic Bacteria Aerobic Bacteria Zooplankton

Hydrophytes
Water loving plants Live in constantly or periodic waterlogged conditions Establish strong expansive root systems Take oxygen from the air and push it deep into the ground near the roots

Halophytes

Hydrophytes adapted to live in brackish water conditions

Brackish water is slightly salty water usually found in tidal estuaries and wetlands near to the ocean.

Thick bushy roots with specialized filtration membranes to prevent salt from entering the plant Special organs that sweat salt from the leaves

Thick and bushy roots from halophytes act like a barrier, trapping dangerous and harmful materials.
Heavy Metals Pollutants

Provide a lush home for helpful microorganisms like bacteria

Anaerobic Bacteria
Live in anoxic soil conditions (soil with little or no oxygen) Usually found in underwater soil Eat certain toxic chemicals Produce carbon dioxide that helps plants grow.

Aerobic Bacteria
Lives in soil where oxygen is available Make fresh water Eat disease causing bacteria Small Filter

Massive colonies act like an organic filter eating harmful bacteria, viruses, and chemicals
Coliform Animal waste Pesticides and Insecticides Fertilizers Other Chemicals

Humus
Full of small macroorganisms Home to insects, worms, amphibians, mammals Loose soil

Solum: Micro Layer

Tiny root systems Micro-Organisms Minerals and Good Metals Tight Compacted Dirt

Clay Layer
Super Compact No oxygen No Roots Nearly No Life

Many different layers

Humus Layer (1st Level)

Solum Layer (2nd Level)

Tiny Roots Minerals Micro-Organisms Compacted Dirt

Organic material Leaves, earthworms, beetles Small Roots Loose Dirt

Clay Layer (3rd Level) Bedrock / Gravel (4th Level)

Big rocks
Really compacted No organisms

Wetlands have many tools that filter pollution and dangerous chemicals and diseases from water.
Plants Roots Bacteria Loose Dirt Compacted Dirt Clay