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Why Teach About Wetlands?

by
Krissy

May is American Wetlands Month, a time to recognize the importance of this habitat for its ecological, economic and social health value. Take the opportunity in May to teach your students about the role of wetlands in providing habitat, clean water and reducing flooding risk.

So what is a wetland?
Wetlands are transitional areas between land and water. An area is defined as a wetland if it has hydrophytes (plants adapted to living in wet soils) and hydric soils (soils that are periodically soaked or flooded).

In the Chesapeake region wetlands can be further broken down into two categories: tidal and non-tidal. Tidal wetlands are flooded with salt or brackish water when tides rise and non-tidal wetlands contain fresh water. About 86% of the wetlands in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are non-tidal.

Why should YOU teach about wetlands?
Wetlands are one of the most critical habitats for hundreds of species of fish, birds, mammals and invertebrate in the Chesapeake region. Tidal wetlands are a winter home for waterfowl that visit the Chesapeake Bay as they migrate along the Atlantic Flyway. Wetlands are also the nurseries and spawning grounds for blue crabs, fish and shellfish that waterman and fishermen depend on for their livelihood. Roughly 2/3 of our commercially valuable fish and most shellfish use tidal wetlands as nursery areas.

Wetlands also improve and protect the Chesapeake Bay’s health. These saturated areas between the land and the water act as buffers by slowing the flow of pollutants into the Bay and its rivers. As polluted stormwater runs off the land and passes through wetlands, the trees and grasses in wetlands filter and absorb nutrients, suspended sediments and chemical contaminants before these pollutants can flow to nearby waterways.

Wetlands also help control erosion. Just like a sponge, wetlands soak up and hold large amounts of flood water and stormwater runoff, gradually releasing the water over time. Wetlands along the edges of streams, creeks, rivers and the Bay stabilize shorelines and protect properties from floods and waves. Because of the high ecological and economic value of wetlands its very important that we keep them wet and wild.

So how do YOU teach about wetlands?
Luckily, there are tons of lesson plans available that focus on wetlands! Here are a few of the best ones you can use in your classroom. These include hands-on investigations that get students actively engaged in learning.