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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a wetland water budget?

To balance the inflows and outflows of water (correct)

To measure the amount of vegetation in wetlands

To evaluate the soil quality in wetlands

To assess the biodiversity of wetland organisms

Which component directly contributes to groundwater inflows in a wetland water budget?

Infiltration (correct)

Interception

Overland flow

Flood pulse

What does 'net precipitation' refer to in the context of wetland water budgets?

Total precipitation before interception

Water that evaporates before reaching the surface

Water that actually reaches the wetland surface (correct)

Precipitation that is stored in the vegetation

Which type of flow is characterized as water running overland and potentially creating rivulets?

Overland flow Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a component of water outflows in the wetland water budget?

Streamflow influx Signup and view all the answers

What primarily distinguishes bogs from fens?

Bogs are dominated by sphagnum moss, whereas fens support graminoids and forbs. Signup and view all the answers

Which method is not commonly used for measuring water levels in wetlands?

Evaporation pans Signup and view all the answers

In wetlands, how does hydrology influence nutrient availability?

Hydrology allows for the cycling of nutrients based on decomposition and productivity. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key factor that differentiates the accumulation and export of organic material in wetlands?

Isolation of wetlands decreases their ability to export organic material. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes hydric soils found in wetlands?

They develop under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a discharge wetland?

Water level in wetland is lower than the water table, water flows in Signup and view all the answers

Which hydrological pattern features high groundwater inflow and is associated with slopes or hills?

Groundwater slope Signup and view all the answers

What effect can long flooding durations have on wetland biodiversity?

Decrease diversity by limiting flood intolerant species Signup and view all the answers

How does evaporation contribute to the wetland water budget?

It results in water loss from the wetland Signup and view all the answers

What role do tides play in wetland ecosystems?

They create periodic stressors and bring nutrient subsidies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about transpiration is correct?

It is the process of water passing through plants to the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary effect of stagnant conditions in wetland ecosystems?

Depression of ecosystem functions Signup and view all the answers

What is a seiche, and how does it influence wetlands?

Wind tides causing periodic fluctuations in water levels Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of organic material distinguishes organic soils from mineral soils?

20-35% Signup and view all the answers

What type of organic soil is characterized by undecomposed organic material?

Peat Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT necessary for the development of redoximorphic features in wetland soils?

High levels of nitrogen Signup and view all the answers

What color indicates semipermanently to permanently flooded soils in redoximorphic features?

Black or gray Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following plant materials is a major contributor to the formation of organic soil?

Woody debris Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason that identification of plant forms is impossible in muck soil?

Highly decomposed state Signup and view all the answers

What are redox concentrations in wetland soils indicative of?

Variable hydrology Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about mineral soils is true?

They contain less than 20-35% organic material. Signup and view all the answers

What is redox potential a measure of in wetland soils?

The degree of reduction and electron availability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following processes is enhanced in anaerobic conditions often found in wetland soils?

Sulfate reduction Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the oxidation process in terms of electron movement?

Uptake of oxygen and loss of hydrogen or electron Signup and view all the answers

How does redox potential affect microbial activity in wetland soils?

It regulates the activity and composition of microbial communities Signup and view all the answers

In the context of wetland soils, what does a gritty texture indicate when performing the rub test?

Mineral soil Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Wetland Water Budget Components

Wetland water budget balances inflows and outflows of water.
Key equation: Water volume change = net precipitation + surface water inflows + groundwater inflows - evapotranspiration - surface water outflows - groundwater outflows ± tidal in/outflow.
Inflows include precipitation, surface flow, and groundwater; outflows consist of evapotranspiration, surface outflows, and groundwater outflows.

Influence of Precipitation and Surface Flow

Gross precipitation refers to all water falling, while net precipitation is the water that reaches the surface after interception.
Interception is the capturing of water by vegetation/buildings, affecting water availability.
Throughfall is rain that drips from leaves, and streamflow represents water running down plant stems.
Surface flow can be dispersed (sheet flow) or channelized (stream flow), impacting wetland hydrology.
Flood pulse describes seasonal flood flow, influencing biological and chemical activity in wetlands.

Key Hydrological Terms

Recharge wetlands have higher water levels than the water table, leading to outflow; discharge wetlands are the opposite.
Flow-through wetlands experience inflows at one point and outflows at another.
Novitski groundwater flow patterns classify wetlands based on their interactions with groundwater and surface water.
Evaporation and transpiration represent water loss from wetlands to the atmosphere.
Seiches are periodic water level fluctuations influenced by wind, found in inland wetlands adjacent to larger lakes.

Groundwater, Evapotranspiration, and Tidal Influence

Groundwater sources are crucial for wetland sustainability, impacting hydrological patterns (Novitski patterns).
Evapotranspiration results in water loss, which can decrease wetland vegetation.
Tides create distinctive zones within wetlands, introducing stressors (submergence, salinity) and benefits (nutrient pulses, improved oxygen levels).
Seiches lead to dynamic water level changes, further affecting wetland conditions.

Principles of Hydrology’s Importance

Hydrology influences vegetation diversity and types, favoring water-tolerant species while limiting flood-intolerant ones.
Flowing water enhances primary productivity whereas stagnant conditions can result in less diversity (e.g., bogs vs. fens).
Organic matter accumulation and breakdown are directly influenced by hydrology, dictating nutrient cycling.
Hydrology affects nutrient availability, transforming nutrients crucial for plant growth depending on hydrological conditions.

Techniques for Studying Wetland Hydrology

Water levels monitored with recorders, loggers, and staff gauges.
Evapotranspiration assessed using the Thornthwaite equation and evaporation pans.
Precipitation tracked through rain gauges and weather station data.
Streamflow observed through water-level fluctuations and stream weirs.
Groundwater studied via piezometers, wells, and data modeling.

Key Soil Terms and Types

Hydric soils form under saturation and flooding, developing anaerobic conditions.
Organic soils contain over 20-35% organic material with two subtypes: peat (undecomposed) and muck (decomposed).
Mineral soils have less than 20-35% organic content.

Differences Between Organic and Mineral Soils

Organic soils originate from plant materials, while mineral soils contain primarily inorganic materials.
Organic soils demonstrate varying degrees of decomposition and unique hydrological interactions compared to mineral soils.

Soil Features Characterizing Wetland Soils

Organic soils derive mainly from plant material and vary in decomposition state.
Mineral soils exhibit redoximorphic features, showing transformation of iron and manganese oxides due to hydrology.
Redox potential indicates electron availability in soil, impacting nutrient cycling and microbial communities.

Redox Potential Significance

Redox potential indicates soil redox conditions, essential in regulating nutrient availability.
Key biological and chemical processes, including climate change impacts and water quality, are influenced by redox dynamics.
Nutrient cycling, microbial activity, and carbon release are all affected by the oxidation-reduction state of wetland soils.

Field Indicators for Characterizing Wetland Soils

Field checks for redoximorphic features, odor indicating sulfate reduction, and organic matter accumulation.
Soil texture assessment through tactile rub tests to determine soil type (mineral or organic).

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Description

Test your knowledge on the components of a wetland water budget, including inflows and outflows. Understand the roles of precipitation, surface flow, and evapotranspiration in maintaining wetland ecosystems. This quiz covers fundamental hydrological processes that impact wetland health.

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