Freshwater Swamps

Question 1

Freshwater swamps are characterized by:

Freshwater swamps are forested wetlands

Answer 1

1. Non-tidal
2. < 30 cm peat
3. Dominance of woody vegetation

Question 2

Type of freshwater swamps::

Answer 2

• Riparian wetlands
• Cypress swamp
• White cedar swamps
• Red maple swamp

Question 3

HYDROLOGY

Answer 3

Riparian ecosystems

see slide 25

Question 4

BIOGEOCHEMISTRY

Peat accumulation

Answer 4

• Acidic to circum-neutral
–Depends on the degree of peat accumulation

Cypress dome is more acidic than dwarf cypress swamp because it has more peat accumulation

Question 5

BIOGEOCHEMISTRY

Precipitation

Answer 5

•Acidic to circum-neutral
-Depends on how much precipitation dominates hydrology

Cypress dome is more acidic than alluvial river swamp because it has higher precipitation

Question 6

BIOGEOCHEMISTRY

Nutrients

Answer 6

•Nutrient conditions vary

• Nutrient and mineral poor, e.g. Cypress dome (Electrical conductivity 60 miuS/cm)
• Nutrient and mineral rich, e.g. Alluvial river swamp (Electrical conductivity 200-400 miuS/cm)

Question 7

BIOGEOCHEMISTRY

Alluvial river swamp have water chemistry very different from adjacent river

Answer 7

Water fluctuations are less varied in the Alluvial river . Also water is stagnant and mixed with the groundwater. Additionally, there will be more organic matter and sediments, which will accumulate in the swamp.

Question 8

VEGETATION

Cypress Swamp

Answer 8

Pond cypress

Bald cypress

Question 9

VEGETATION

White Cedar Swamps

Answer 9

Chamaecyparis thyoides

Question 10

VEGETATION

Red Maple Swamps

Answer 10

Acer rubrum

Question 11

ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION

Answer 11

1. Productivity is linked with hydrological regime
2. Nutrient inflows influence productivity
3. Swamps can be nutrient sinks: Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Carbon, Sediments
4. Decomposition of wood depends on degree of anaerobic conditions