Wetlands

Question 1

What is a wetland ?

Answer 1

an area of land covered by shallow water for most of the year

Question 2

Give some examples of wetlands

Answer 2

Swamps
Marshes
Shallow lakes
Vleis

Question 3

What is the most well-known wetland in our country? where is it?

Answer 3

St Lucia wetlands
in KZN

Question 4

In what ways are wetland ecosystems important to living things?

Answer 4

• wetlands provide a habitat and breeding ground for many different types of animals (esp. birds, frogs & fish)
• wetlands are a source of water for plants & animals
• wetlands filter the water to make it clean (they remove both soluble & insoluble substances from the water)
• wetlands act like giant sponges as they store water and prevent flooding
• wetlands help to keep rivers & streams flowing in dry seasons

Question 5

What is agriculture ?

Answer 5

farming practices such a growing crops & raising cattle

Question 6

What is industry ?

Answer 6

factories & businesses that manufacture or process materials & goods

Question 7

What is biodiversity ?

Answer 7

variety of plants and animal life in a particular habitat

Question 8

What has led to the loss of wetlands over the last hundred years? how much was lost?

Answer 8

population increase
–> there is a bigger need for land
for housing, agriculture and industry

half the wetlands have been lost

Question 9

What are the consequences of destroying wetlands?

Answer 9

it leaves plants & animals homeless
–> some find new homes, some die
–> biodiversity in the wetlands decreases

Question 10

What is meant by water quality ?

Answer 10

how safe the water is to use

Question 11

How do wetlands affect water quality?

Answer 11

Wetlands act as filters to clean water

1. They remove soaps, insecticides & fertilizers that wash into the water
   BECAUSE plants in the wetlands & soil & gravel at the bottom of the wetland absorb these substance
2. Micro-organisms in wetlands break down faeces & make it harmless