Topic 8.4 Notes – Human Impacts on Wetlands and Mangroves

What are wetlands characterized by?

• Water covering the soil part or all of the time

• Dry soil with sparse vegetation

• High salinity and tidal influence

• Presence of only salt-tolerant plants

Which type of wetland is influenced by tides and often has brackish water?

• Coastal (Tidal) Wetlands

• Inland (Non-tidal) Wetlands

• Bogs

• Swamps

What is a key feature of mangroves?

• Salt-tolerant trees and shrubs

• Presence of acidic peat soil

• Dominance of grasses and reeds

• Located near rivers and lakes

Which ecosystem service is provided by wetlands to reduce flooding?

• Absorbing and storing excess water during storms

• Providing nursery habitats for marine species

• Trapping sediments and breaking down organic waste

• Reducing salinity levels in coastal areas

What happens when wetlands are removed?

• Pollutants flow directly into rivers and lakes

• Salinity levels in coastal areas increase

• Fish populations increase

• Flood risk decreases

What is cultural eutrophication caused by?

• Excess nutrients leading to algal blooms

• High salinity levels in coastal wetlands

• Overfishing in mangroves

• Draining wetlands for development

Which human activity often leads to the destruction of mangroves?

• Commercial development

• Dam construction

• Overfishing

• Pollutant runoff

What is the impact of dam construction on wetlands?

• Decreased water reaching wetlands

• Increased biodiversity

• Improved water filtration

• Enhanced flood protection

Why are mangroves important for fisheries?

• They serve as nursery habitats for commercial fish species

• They reduce coastal erosion

• They trap sediments and filter pollutants

• They absorb excess water during storms

What is a common pollutant that leads to cultural eutrophication in wetlands?

• Fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus

• Salt from coastal areas

• Heavy metals from industrial waste

• Pesticides used in agriculture