Have you been SWAMPED with stress? Unwind with us in the Wetlands !

Have you been SWAMPED with stress? Unwind with us in the Wetlands! Brought to you by Traveltime Tours Jane Peterson, Sarah Bjarnason, and Kurt Schafer

Wetland Biomes are everywhere! Pick a region to visit! Wetlands are spread across the entire world, they aren’t centralized to one specific region of the world!

Special features of the Wetlands! Wet lands are frequently or continually inundated with water, characterized by soft- stemmed vegetation adapted to saturated soil conditions. Nutrients are plentiful and the pH is usually neutral leading to an abundance of plant and animal life!

Wondering what clothing to pack? Climate varies depending on the Wetlands location! • Tropical Wetlands: temperatures of up to 122 F (50 C) • Polar Wetlands: temperatures drop to as low as -58 F (-50 C) • Temperate Wetlands: average around 51 F (11 C) in temperatures Wetlands vary in rainfall based on their location

Climate and Precipitation of Bangalore, India (Tropical Wetlands)

What time of year should you visit? Tropical Wetlands: September – February Temperate Wetlands: June – Mid-August Polar Wetlands: July – August

Unique Features of Wetlands Wetlands are categorized into 4 types: • Swamps (forested) • Marshes (composed of herbaceous vegetation) • Bogs (a mire [area that has accumulated a lot of peat] with acidic waters) • Fens (similar to bogs, but have a more alkaline water concentration)

Do you know what is threatening Wetlands? Major threats to wetlands consist of: • river regulation and water diversion • development and catchment disturbance • introduction of weeds and pest animals • climate change

Flora Four types of Plants Exist in Wetlands: • Submerged Water Plants (found completely underwater) • Floating Water Plants (may take up a large surface area in a wetland system) • Emergent Water Plants (seen above the surface though the roots are completely submerged) • Surrounding Trees and Shrubs (found in swamps)

Flora Abbot Point Wetlands Lily Pads Pacific Northwest Wetlands Yellow Loosestrife Cattails

Fauna Relies on the location of the wetland Wetlands across the world provide homes: • Fish • Amphibians • Reptiles • Mammals • Insects/invertebrates

Fauna Northwestern Salamander Great Blue Heron Virginia Opossum Blue-and-Yellow Macaw Capybara Piranha

Plant Adaptations: Peat Moss They have adapted to the Wetlands by being capable of growing in very acidic conditions where there is no groundwater flow, and where the only source of nutrients comes from rainfall. Their unique structure allows them to hold 15 times as much water as the weight of the plant. Because of its ability to hold water, Peat moss can sustain itself during long dry periods.

Animal Adaptations: The Pond Skater Insects that have specialized, paddle like legs that enable the insect to "skate" over the surface of the water, riding on the surface tension that lies between the water and the air.

Tourism in the Wetlands If you choose to visit the Pantanal Wetlands in Brazil you must stop at Rio da Prata where you will be able to snorkel and have a first hand encounter with the amazing wildlife of the wetlands! It has been awarded first place as “The Best Attraction” by a highly praised travel guide. Take a boat tour! The tour will allow you to have an amazing view of the plant and animal life while keeping a comfortable and safe distance from the wildlife!

We hope you have the most amazing time experiencing the wetlands!

For extra information please visit the following sites: • http://oregonexplorer.info/wetlands/PlantsandAnimals/WetlandWildlife • http://water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/ • http://digitalsportsman.com/wetlands/plant.htm • http://oregonexplorer.info/wetlands/PlantsandAnimals • http://digitalsportsman.com/wetlands/anim.htm

Have you been SWAMPED with stress? Unwind with us in the Wetlands !