ABSTRACT
A wetland “is an ecosystem that arises when inundation by water produces soils dominated by anaerobic processes and forces the biota, particularly rooted plants, to exhibit adaptations to tolerate flooding” (Keddy, 2000). Inherent in this definition are three important aspects of wetlands: inundation by water, reduction of the oxygen level in the soil, and predominance of biota that can tolerate an anaerobic environment. Therefore, the minimal essential characteristics of wetlands are: recurrent and sustained inundation that results in anaerobic conditions, hydric soils, and hydrophytic vegetation. Moreover, wetlands are transitional lands between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems where the water table is at or near the surface throughout much of the year (Plate 13.1).
