watersheds

Watersheds and Wetlands : 

Watersheds and Wetlands http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/River

Watersheds : 

Watersheds A watershed is a an area where all rivers, streams and lakes drain to a single source. The basic idea is everything flows down hill. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ColumbiarivergorgeJRH.jpg

Watershed maps : 

Watershed maps Potomac Watershed All the white areas drain into the Potomac River The Potomac River Drains into Chesapeake Bay Chesapeake Bay drains to the Atlantic Ocean. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Potomac_watershed.png

Humans impact watersheds. : 

Humans impact watersheds. Look around you home and the town you live in. Land is used in a variety of ways around a watershed. Humans actions can greatly affect our watersheds.

Pollution : 

Pollution Non Point Source Pollution: Pollution that comes from a variety of difference sources. Like runoff, fertilizer, litter. It is difficult to trace back to one source. Point Source Pollution: Pollution that can be traced back to one single source. For example a factory leaking oil into a stream. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_pollution.jpg

Wetlands : 

Wetlands Wetlands are an essential part of watershed. These areas area have a great deal of bio diversity. They are super producers, they produce more plant life than any other terrestrial area in the United States. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hakone_Botanical_Garden_of_Wetlands.JPG

Wetland Requirements : 

Wetland Requirements To be a wetland It must have hydric soils (soil saturated with water) The must have water present for some portion of the year They must have plant life adapted to live in wet conditions.

Wetland Function : 

Wetland Function Wetlands serve a variety of functions Animal habitat Natural filters of waters Flood control Erosion protection

Types of wetlands : 

Types of wetlands Wetlands come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Marsh Bog Forested swamps Shrub swamps Prairie pot holes Fens