Chapter

Wetlands and Other Poorly-Aerated Soils

From Introduction to Soil Science by Amber Anderson and Rivka Fidel

Concepts

1. Flooding Affect

   "Flooding fills soil pores with water, restricts oxygen, and causes microbes to use progressively less efficient electron acceptors. Organic matter decomposition slows, while reduced forms of metals s

2. Defines Wetland

   "Wetlands are ecosystems in which frequent flooding is a defining and sustaining feature. They generally have wetland hydrology, hydric soils, and hydrophytic vegetation. They occur in low landscape p

3. Wetlands Important

   "Wetlands support diverse and often endangered plants and animals, filter sediment and phosphorus, and remove nitrate through denitrification. Their hydric soils accumulate large amounts of organic ca