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Conversion of wetlands for commercial development, drainage schemes, extraction of minerals and peat, overfishing, tourism, siltation, pesticide discharges from intensive agriculture, toxic pollutants from industrial waste, and the construction of dams and dikes, often in an attempt at flood protection, are major threats to wetlands everywhere.

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The wetlands or more commonly known as swamps are similar to lakes but the shallow water allows for plants to grow under water that reach the surface it is home to many fish and large reptiles and mammals. they are often flooded by a lot water. they are filters for groundwater and they also protect from flooding.

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Average Seasonal temperature
59 °F to 95 °F
15 °C to 35 °
Average Yearly Rainfall
68.89764 in to 78.74016 in
175 cm to 200 cm

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The Pantanal is an immense tropical wetlands located mainly in western Brazil's Mato Grosso do Sul state.
The Okefenokee Swamp is a shallow, 438,000-acre, peat-filled wetland straddling the Georgia–Florida line in the United States

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1.  Bromeliads
Bromeliads are members of the pineapple family, bromeliaceae, and are perennial herbs. These herbs usually grow on other plants and lack woody stems. Though some species' common names, such as ball moss and Spanish moss, suggest that these are mosses, bromeliads are actually flowering plants with very small blooms.
2. Milkweed
Milkweed, also known as swamp milkweed, is an herbaceous perennial from the apocynaceae family. The plant is found in the northeastern and southeastern United States. It can grow up to 5 feet tall and has white, pink and mauve blooms. The plant also likes the sun and attracts butterflies.
3. Water Lily
A water lily is a floating aquatic plant with flat, round leaves. The plant has a large, fragrant white or pink bloom. The leaves have long stems and are reddish-purple underneath. The flowers open in the early morning and close around noon. Water lilies are native to the northeastern United States. Water lilies are found floating on top of the water surface or just below it.
4. Cattails
Cattails are found in many marshes, swamps, ditches and in shallow bodies of water. These plants will grow in water up to 4 feet deep and continue to grow above the water's surface, reaching total heights of up to 10 feet tall. The flower is a fuzzy, brown cigar-shape and is located at the top of the stalk. The long, flat leaves of the plant measure about 1 inch wide. Cattails help shorelines resist wave erosion.
5.  Duckweed
Duckweed is a free-floating plant that has an explosive, quick-spreading reproductive system. Duckweed can be found in swamps all around the United States. The individual plants look like leaves and are typically less than 1/4 inch wide. Each plant has a single root that stems from its bottom, hanging below to extract nutrients from the water.Adaptations:
1.  Many wetland plants have special air or pore spaces in their roots and stems called aerenchyma through which oxygen can enter the plant and be transported to its roots.

2.  Some plants have hollowed stems that transport oxygen to the roots.

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1. Get involved by joining a clean-up  in your community and spread the word.

2. Reduce, reuse, and recycle your trash. One of the easiest ways to help the environment and reduce trash is to follow the 3 R’s every day. Bring a reusable bag or use a reusable water bottle. Compost. Donate clothes instead of throwing them away.

3. Install rain barrels and reduce urban and suburban runoff. Keep sidewalks, lawns and driveways clear of pet waste, trash, toxic chemicals, fertilizers, motor oil -- all of which can wash into storm drains end up in our wetlands.

4. Use paper and recycled products made from unbleached paper. Bleached paper contains toxic chemicals that can contaminate water.

5. Be smart about lawn and garden fertilizer: use a mulching mower, use non-nitrogen lawn supplements to avoid nutrient pollution. It promotes algae growth which creates aquatic dead zones and can be toxic to humans.

6. Use non-toxic products for household cleaning and lawn and garden care. Never spray lawn and garden chemicals outside on a windy day or when rain could wash the chemicals into waterways.

7. Choose native species when planting trees, shrubs and flowers, including wetland native plants where appropriate.

8. Do not fill wetlands when building a new home or developing a property.

9. Use "living shoreline" techniques at your waterfront property, making use of plant roots to stabilize soil.

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Conversion of wetlands for commercial development, drainage schemes, extraction of minerals and peat, overfishing, tourism, siltation, pesticide discharges from intensive agriculture, toxic pollutants from industrial waste, and the construction of dams and dikes, often in an attempt at flood protection, are major threats to wetlands everywhere.

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The key members of the biome are:  Bacteria and dead organic matter, Algae, Crab, Shrimp, snapper, And the Heron.
The thropic levels of the food chain presented are:
Level 1: Algae.
Level 2: Shrimp, Crab.
level 3: Snapper, Heron.

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1. Fast moving water erodes soil away and carries
nutrients and sediments downstream that can
negatively impact other waterbodies. Wetlands
provide a place to slow the flow of water,
allowing sediments and nutrients to settle and
returning cleaned water to the larger system.
On a recent outing with the NYSDEC, Dutchess
County Planning Federation participants explored
tidal wetland sites on Tivoli North Bay.
More than 33% of the threatened and
endangered species in the US live
only in wetlands.
(Source: US EPA)
Without removal of excess nutrients, waterbodies begin to experience algal blooms and rapid aquatic
plant growth that eventually lead to eutrophication

2. Wetlands have the unique ability to hold large amounts of water and slowly release it back into the
environment. This helps reduce soil erosion by allowing water to “pool” in the wetland area, and then
gradually recharge groundwater supplies. This sponge-like capacity also helps reduce the devastation
that can be caused by flooding after a storm event. Wetlands hold the water that would otherwise
flood basements and streets, thereby reducing the potential for property damage caused by flooding.

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1. Wetlands serve a recreational function as well. According to the US Environmental Protection
Agency, more than half of adults in the United States annually spend $59.5 billion fishing,
birdwatching, hunting, and photographing wildlife. Wetlands provide an amazing backdrop for hiking
enthusiasts, and can be used as living classrooms for teachers and their students.
2. In addition to the many environmental benefits of
wetlands, there are related economic benefits.
Wetlands provide many services to us by simply
existing. They improve water quality without
expensive treatment facilities, curb flooding after
large storm events which reduces potential
damage to buildings, roads and infrastructure, and
increase the enjoyment of our human habitat by
providing places for important wildlife and plants
to live in addition to the many environmental benefits of
wetlands, there are related economic benefits.
Wetlands provide many services to us by simply
existing. They improve water quality without
expensive treatment facilities, curb flooding after
large storm events which reduces potential
damage to buildings, roads and infrastructure, and
increase the enjoyment of our human habitat by
providing places for important wildlife and plants
to live.

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5 consumers that live the swamp snails, crayfish, salamanders and lager animals such as an alligator and bears

1. Snails
Snails are  herbivores so they eat plants however most snails eat whatever as long as they get all of their necessary nutrients so they can be omnivorous and carnivorous. Some common predators that snails have a salamanders, snakes, and crayfish.
2. Crayfish

Crayfish are small crustaceans  that live in swamps. They are nocturnal so they only interact with their environment at night and they sleep for the day. they prey upon snails, insects, worms, and even dead organisms. they also have a rare feature that few organisms have and it is called regeneration which means that they can regenerate any lost tissue and they can grow back any limbs they could have lost with a predator or with the competition in their environment. 3. Salamanders
Salamanders are mall amphibians that are usually slim with short legs but can grow to be really long. The consume insects, worms, and slugs. they also have the ability to regenerate any lost limbs either to protect themselves from a predator or they were fighting other animals that are their competition in their environment 4. Alligators
Alligator typically live in swamps but they live in bodies of freshwater. they can grow to be as big as 15 feet long and are the main predator in a swamp environment. they can camouflage with the water in order to catch and eat prey. they eat fish, turtles, and other reptiles. 5. Bears
Bears are mainly omnivores and they are very strong and intelligent animals. they hibernate which means they sleep during the winter and do not wake up until . they are predators and they eat fish, berries and sometimes they go through trash Adaptations animals had to developed
1. Animals had to learn to camouflage animals would blend with the water and its very dark brown blackish color
2. many learned how to move through the water quickly in order to be mobile the alligator for example has a long tail to help them navigate through the water