1B+Wetlands+Degradation

Wetlands Wiki-  The wetlands are a very important ecosystem. All wetlands provide nesting, feeding, rearing, and stop-over habitat for birds and other wildlife. Wetlands prevent floods, protecting shorelines, and recharging ground water aquifers.

Biotic factors- There are around 350 different species of fish in the Chesapeake Bay. Some of the fish eat the underwater grasses. There are more than 16 different species of underwater vegetation in the Bay. The underwater grasses are home to crabs after they lose their shell. Since the Bay has salt water and fresh water, it all depends on the saltiness of that area to let vegetation grow. For example,In the high levels of saltiness you will find Eelgrass. The more fresh water you will find redhead grass.

Abiotic factors –The Chesapeake bay is affected by temperatures that change during different seasons. The water can go as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and can spike as high as 84 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. In the summer the temperatures can be 90 degrees and above. The Chesapeake Bay is both salt water and fresh water. About 50% of the fresh water comes from the Susquehanna river.



Threats- - Shoreline Erosion - Flooding - Oyster extinction- people are harvesting untold numbers of fish, shellfish, also, waterfowl from the water. As the human population increases, so does hunting and fishing. - Less sunlight for plants- when people build farms in a forest miles from wetlands, it makes the soil erode. And as the farm grows, it blocks out the sunlight for plants. - Trash- people dump soil, garbage, and rock debris into the salt marshes to make dry land for buildings. Conservation plan- -don’t pour gasoline, paint, or house hold cleaners down the drain. They could seep into the ground water. -use save alternative to harsh household cleaners. Instead of using the window cleaners you see on TV, you can use vinegar and water -Don’t throw garbage into river, lakes, bays, or oceans. The fishes may eat trash that could make them sick. -Do not pull plants along the marsh and riverbanks. The plants supply food and oxygen to the animals. -Conserve water. Use less water by not let the water run for too long. - Collect rainwater in a bucket. You can use that rainwater to water your plant. [] [] [|http://www.flickr.com][|: '] [|IMG_4540.CR2] [|'http://www.flickr.com/photos/7363510@N06/2230259337] [|/photos/43717536@N00/3114533032] [] [] [] [] Original image: ' [|turkey-vultures] ' []  by: Linda MacPhee-Cobb Original image: ' [|Waiting] ' http://www.flickr.com/photos/38274933@N00/493962664 by: Lynn Original image: ' [|cattails] ' http://www.flickr.com/photos/53133240@N00/65205129 by: liz west Original image: ' [|P1000603] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">' http://www.flickr.com/photos/41894185893@N01/2422720600 by: Kjell Olsen Original image: ' <span style="color: #629632; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none; textunderline: none;">[|Pilot Light - Flood Remix] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">' http://www.flickr.com/photos/41864721@N00/418606587 by: Evan Leeson Original image: ' <span style="color: #629632; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none; textunderline: none;">[|playing with colors] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">' http://www.flickr.com/photos/74919016@N00/383668720 by: Tim Schneider Original image: ' <span style="color: #629632; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none; textunderline: none;">[|Hopping Mice] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">' http://www.flickr.com/photos/26768348@N00/519649900 by: Stephen Michael Barnett Original image: ' <span style="color: #629632; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none; textunderline: none;">[|N1 #07683] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">' http://www.flickr.com/photos/49638217@N00/535647152 by: Original image: ' <span style="color: #629632; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration: none; textunderline: none;">[|the thicket] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">' http://www.flickr.com/photos/61779926@N00/173951932 by: Steve Wall

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