1. Coastal or Tidal Wetlands - As one might well guess, these
are found in coastal regions and are related to the estuarial
system and impacted by tidal flows. The degree of salination
impacts the type of plant life that can survive and, in general,
one will see barren mudflats give way to a variety of grasses and
other vegetation as the salinity decreases.
2. Inland or
Non-Tidal Wetlands - Riparian wetlands, those found within the
floodplain of rivers and streams are the most common type of
inland wetland, but wetlands can also form near lakes or ponds or
in a variety of other low lying areas where the groundwater
approaches the surface and/or the area acts as a collection point
for surface water.
As varied as wetlands can be, there is a
common theme that helps to define their nature. The hydrology of the
wetland, which results in the extended presence of
water, largely determines the nature of the soils ( that
develop and which plant (hydrophytes)
and animal (both aquatic and terrestrial) varieties select it as
their habitat.
The Untied States Fish and
Wildlife Service (FWS) map provides information on the character, extent
and status of wetland and deep water habitats. As part of that
process, the Fish and Wildlife Service has divided them into five
ecological categories:
1. Marine - open ocean and its shoreline
2. Estuarine -
areas where the transition from salt to fresh water occur
3.
Riverine - river channels and streams
4. Lacustrine - lakes,
reservoirs and deep ponds
5. Palustrine - freshwater wetlands,
shallow ponds and inland saline wetlands
Wetlands are further classified based on a
variety of factors including, but not limited to, vegetation,
hydrology, water chemistry and special modifiers that take into
account not only human actions but those of beavers as well. (Yes,
we are serious.)
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