Wetlands
 

Type	Distribution	Aquatic Plants	Hydrology
Freshwater marshes	widespread	grasses, sedges (Carex)	seasonal to permanent flooding
Tidal Marshes	coastal	halophytic grasses (Spartina),sedges(Juncus) /rush	tidal flooding daily morning and night, spring monthly (salt and brackish) flooding
Prairie Potholes	Northern Plains	grasses, sedges, temporary to herbaceous plants	temporary to permanent flooding
Fens	near mineral rich soil or water	specific grasses, sedges, shrubs, and trees	permanently flooded with flowing water (peat accumulating)
Bog (moor)	caused by glaciation	sphagnum moss, shrubs, trees, desmid algae	frequent precipitation  -no significant in-flow or out-flow
Swamp	fairly widespread	large trees (Cypres, Gum)  (Taxodium nyssa)	prolonged standing water
Bottomlands	along rolling hills	large trees (Oaks, Maples)	seasonal flooding but also annual dry periods
Mangroves	tropical/subtropical regions	red, white, black mangrove spp.  (Rhizophora, Avicennia, Laguncularia)	tidal flush & freshwater coming in coastal and runoff streams and rivers
Vernal Pools	Texas, California	Aquatic grasses, algae	Seasonal flooding
Slough	California Gulf Coast	Sedges, Halophytes	Permanantly flooded, elongated shallow lake -slow flow
Bays, Lagoons	coastal areas	seagrasses (Eelgrass, turtlegrass)	open salt shallow water (2-3m deep)
Playas	southwest U.S. (dry lake due to being a closed basin)	only along edges, grasses, some sedges	seasonal wetland with seasonal drying
Riparian Areas	widespread along water course of a stream or river	many types of grasses, sedges, trees	periodic flooding, high water table  riverine environment

-Cienega - freshwater marsh, usually in rigarien zone

Riparian Zones

• In the southwest US and Mexico a similar ecological zone is called a bosque - a gallery forest, usually in a riparian zone. These are populated by mesquite trees and grasses, and are usually only flooded during really big storms
• Riparian zones represent an area between aquatic environments and terrestrial ecosystems.
• Riparian zones are extensive in the eastern US. One survey reported 22.9 million hectares in the continental US (mostly in the east) plus 12 million more in Alaska.
• These areas have been heavily settled, farmed, logged, and irrigated. Arizona has about 100,000 hectares left.
• In higher elevations, alders and poplars are common riparian trees. Cottonwood, willows, and ash are found in lower elevations

Definitions of Open Water Habitats
Lentic - open water ponds and lakes having submergent plants in the middle, some emergent vegetation along the sides,   and sometimes floating plants, especially in the tropics.
Lotic - flowing waters, streams and rivers, mostly having submerged and emergent plants.

The plant distribution in open water is controlled by the turbidity of the water, the availability of sunlight for photosynthesis (competition with algae), and water motion.
 

Anthropogenic (manmade)
Reservoirs and irrigation systems are examples of manmade aquatic environments. These are dependent on substrate (sometimes concrete or soil conveyance systems), water flow, and nutrients (return water is nutrient rich in an irrigation system).

-Pondweed, Potamogeton, Spiny Naiad, and Chara are all common on concrete substrates.
 

Book uses this organization:
Coastal wetlands    -    Tidal Salt Marshes, Tidal Marshes, Mangrove Wetlands
Inland Wetlands     -    Inland Freshwater Marshes, Northern Peat Lands, Southern Deepwater Swamps, Riparian