ABSTRACT
Frequency, duration, and seasonality of flooding also strongly influence species that are used for developing different wetlands or different areas within the wetland. Different wetland plants withstand various degrees of inundation depending on when and for how long the flooding occurs. Most shrub and tree species and some emergent plants need a period of lower water levels or very limited flooding during the growing season, but can withstand prolonged inundation in the dormant season, generally fall and winter. In dormancy, plant oxygen needs are reduced and long and/or deep flooding may have little impact. However, oxygen limitations during the active growing period may cause stress and eventually mortality in the same plants. Some swamp trees can endure fairly long periods of shallow flooding, but may be damaged by
deep flooding; whereas others are vulnerable to any inundation beyond 4 to 5 days during the growing season. Some shrubs and trees can survive extended flooding during one growing season but flooding for two or more will cause mortality.
