World Water Day was yesterday. A day founded on the belief of equal access to clean water and dedicated to its conservation. The theme for 2022 is how climate change and water are linked. This is the perfect opportunity to talk about wetlands. Besides the carbon storage capabilities of wetlands, the impact of these communities is astronomical. Sadly, due to European settlement land development, about 4.2 million acres of wetlands have been lost. The passage of Michigan’s wetland protection law in 1979 reduced the decline, but many communities are still vulnerable. Continued conservation efforts for wetlands are more pertinent than ever.
A wetland is a type of ecosystem that is submerged in water year-round or seasonally. Due to Michigan’s geologic history, currently, 15% of the state is wetlands. All provide necessary ecosystem functions such as carbon storage, water filtration, flood storage, erosion control, breeding habitat for wildlife, and more. Many organisms like migratory birds, amphibians, threatened and endangered species depend on wetlands to survive. Currently, 43% of federally listed species are influenced by wetlands in some way.
Michigan has many different types of wetlands. There are 32 unique communities categorized into 6 ecological groups. Today we will just explore the 6 ecological groups. Wetlands consist of marshes, wet prairies, fens, bogs, shrub wetlands and forested wetlands.
Marshes contain 9 unique communities. They are herbaceous wetlands that are either flooded or muddy, occur along lakes or rivers and are filled with aquatic vegetation, sedges, herbs or grasses. Fire is very important for marshes; it removes large woody vegetation that would otherwise take over the area. Beavers and muskrats can have a big impact on the ecosystem. Dams built by beavers control flooding and tunnels dug by muskrats created channels for water to flow. Both are vital in maintaining the hydrology of the marsh. Depending on the water level, a marsh can support a wide variety of fish, bugs, and amphibians. This provides an excellent food source for songbirds, shorebirds and other migrating birds. Along with food, marshes are nesting habitats for birds like Sandhill Crane and Canadian Goose. Some types of marshes remain secure and are not imperil (e.g. submergent marshes and emergent marshes), but many of the unique communities in this category are (e.g. Great Lake marshes and salt marshes).
Wet prairies are very diverse communities that experience seasonal flooding. The vegetation composition consists of grasses, sedges and forbs. They are found in outwash plains formed by glaciers located in the southern portion of the lower peninsula. Much like marshes, wet prairies depend on fire to control woody plants and beavers to control flooding. These areas are important for many vulnerable species like the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the short-eared owl, the spotted turtle and the prairie vole. Fire suppression, flood alteration, habitat destruction and the presence of invasive species threaten wet prairies, most of the distinct communities are considered imperiled.
Fens are diverse peatlands that derive nutrients from groundwater or surface water. Peat is a type of soil that has very little decomposed organic matter and acts as a reservoir for carbon storage. The waterlogged conditions of a fen allow the peat to form. They are found in glacial outwashes and the vegetation is dominated by graminoids, forbs, shrubs, and stunted conifers. Fens provide the perfect habitat for small mammals such as shrews, voles, minks, and muskrats. Many different types of butterflies’ and moths’ habitats are restricted to fens. Currently, altered hydrology and the presence of invasive species are threatening the persistence of fens. Too much surface flow and reduced groundwater impend their long-term viability. All of the distinct communities of fen are imperil.
Bogs are diversity-poor, acidic, wetlands that occur in kettle depressions and glacial outwash. Bogs are great at storing carbon. The acidic and waterlogged conditions decrease decomposition and create the perfect environment for peat development. Sphagnum moss is the main vegetation type, but plants that can tolerate acidic conditions, like some shrubs and stunted conifer trees, can also grow. The diversity of bogs is low, some animals that do occur are swamp sparrows, song sparrows, small mammals, butterflies and moths. Some species of butterflies and moths are restricted to bogs. Restricting access and maintaining current hydrologic conditions will help to conserve bogs. Currently, one of the two distinct communities is considered vulnerable.
Shrub wetlands grow in depressions and are flooded year-round or seasonally. The main vegetation type found in these communities is shrubs. Just like marshes, beavers play a big role in controlling the hydrology of the area. Moose, gray wolf, lynx, aquatic mammals and deer all benefit from the presence of shrub wetlands. Pools that form provide a breeding habitat for amphibians. Fruiting shrubs supply food for songbirds, ruffed grouse, woodcock and migrating birds. Even though shrub wetlands support a large diversity of organisms, the spread of shrubs into other wetland types can alter the biological functions provided and is not recommended. There is only one type of shrub wetland that is considered to be vulnerable, the main threats are hydrologic alteration through dams.
Forested wetlands are found in depressions, dominated by trees and can flood seasonally or year-round. The vegetation provides food and shelter for migrating birds, songbirds, canopy-dwelling species and the Indiana bat. Depressions in the landscape are locations for vernal pools, this is a seasonally flooded habitat with no presence of fish, they provide important breeding habitat for amphibians and aquatic invertebrates. Forested wetlands are often surrounded by agricultural land and are a haven for many species. It is important to limit timber harvest, maintain a hydrologic regime, minimize deer population, and control invasive species.
Wetlands are irreplaceable and need to be protected. Not only do they provide habitat for many endangered and threatened species, but they also perform irreplaceable ecologic functions. Filtering nutrients, reducing flooding in residential areas, storing carbon in peat, reducing erosion and replenishing groundwater. In Michigan, multiple wetlands are considered a part of Michigan’s Seven Wetland Wonders, a group of state game areas with vast opportunities for hunting, birding, and wildlife observing.
If you would like to learn more about the vast array of wetland communities and how you can help, click HERE. For information about the ecological function of wetlands, click HERE. To find out more about wetlands history in Michigan, click HERE. MUCC will be cleaning-up the Clinton River on April 9th, if you weren’t able to celebrate World Water Day, register HERE.
Siku ya Maji Duniani ilikuwa jana. Siku hiyo imewekwa msingi wa imani ya usawa wa upatikanaji wa maji safi na imejitolea kuhifadhi maji safi. "Tema ya mwaka 2022 ni ""Ubadilishaji wa hali ya hewa na maji"" na ""Uhusiano wa maji na hali ya hewa.""" Hii ni fursa nzuri ya kuzungumza juu ya maeneo ya mvua. Mbali na uwezo wa kuhifadhi kaboni wa maeneo yenye unyevunyevu, athari za jamii hizi ni kubwa sana. Kwa kusikitisha, kwa sababu ya maendeleo ya ardhi ya makazi ya Ulaya, takriban ekari milioni 4.2 za maeneo ya mvua zimepotea. Sheria ya Michigan ya 1979 ya ulinzi wa maeneo ya mvua ilifanya hali hiyo iwe rahisi, lakini bado jamii nyingi ziko hatarini. Jitihada za kuendelea za kuhifadhi maeneo yenye unyevunyevu ni muhimu zaidi kuliko wakati mwingine wowote. Eneo lenye unyevunyevu ni aina ya mazingira ambayo hufunikwa na maji mwaka mzima au kwa majira. Kwa sababu ya historia ya kijiolojia ya Michigan, kwa sasa, 15% ya jimbo ni maeneo ya mvua. Hizi zote hutoa kazi muhimu za mazingira kama vile kuhifadhi kaboni, kusafisha maji, kuhifadhi mafuriko, kudhibiti mmomonyoko, makazi ya kuzaliana kwa wanyama wa porini, na zaidi. Viumbe wengi kama vile ndege wanaohama, amfibia, spishi zinazotishiwa na zilizo hatarini mwa kutoweka hutegemea maeneo ya mvua ili waishi. Kwa sasa, asilimia 43 ya spishi zilizoorodheshwa katika orodha ya serikali zinaathiriwa na maeneo ya mvua kwa njia fulani. Michigan ina aina nyingi tofauti za maeneo ya mvua. Kuna jamii 32 za kipekee zilizopangwa katika vikundi sita vya ikolojia. Leo tutakuwa na kujadili kuhusu makundi sita ya mazingira. Maeneo ya mvua yana mabwawa, nyanda za mvua, fens, bogs, maeneo ya mvua ya vichaka na maeneo ya mvua ya misitu. Mashamba ya mchanga yana jamii tisa za kipekee. Ni maeneo ya mvua yenye nyasi ambayo ni maji au matope, yanapatikana kando ya maziwa au mito na yamejaa mimea ya majini, sedges, mimea au nyasi. Moto ni muhimu sana kwa mabwawa; huondoa mimea mikubwa yenye miti ambayo ingechukua eneo hilo. Nyigu na panya-mwitu wanaweza kuwa na uvutano mkubwa juu ya mazingira. Mabwawa yaliyojengwa na beavers huzuia mafuriko na mifereji iliyochimbwa na panya-mwitu iliunda mifereji ili maji yatirike. Yote mawili ni muhimu katika kudumisha maji ya mabwawa. Ikitegemea kiwango cha maji, mabwawa yanaweza kuwa na samaki, wadudu, na viumbe wanaoishi katika bahari. Hii hutoa chanzo kizuri cha chakula kwa ndege wa kuimba, ndege wa pwani na ndege wengine wanaohama. Pamoja na chakula, mabwawa ni makao ya ndege kama vile Sandhill Crane na Canadian Goose. Baadhi ya aina ya marshes kubaki salama na si imperil (kwa mfano Submergent marshes na emergent marshes, lakini wengi wa jamii ya kipekee katika jamii hii ni (kwa mfano Mabwawa makubwa ya ziwa na mabwawa ya chumvi). Nyanda za mvua ni jamii tofauti sana ambazo hupata mafuriko ya msimu. Muundo wa mimea inajumuisha nyasi, sedges na forbs. Zipatikana katika nyanda za maji ya nje zilizofanyizwa na barafu zilizo katika sehemu ya kusini ya peninsula ya chini. Sawa na mabwawa, nyanda zenye unyevunyevu hutegemea moto ili kudhibiti mimea yenye mbao na beavers ili kudhibiti mafuriko. Mimea hiyo ni ya aina mbalimbali kama vile nyoka wa mashariki wa masausauga, nyuki wa masikio mafupi, kasa mwenye madoa na nyuki wa nyanda. Kuangamiza moto, mabadiliko ya mafuriko, uharibifu wa makazi na uwepo wa spishi za uvamizi hutangaza nyanda za mvua, jamii nyingi tofauti zinachukuliwa kuwa hatarini. Mimea hiyo ni maeneo yenye mchanga mbalimbali ambayo hupata virutubisho kutoka kwa maji ya chini ya ardhi au maji ya juu ya ardhi. Peat ni aina ya udongo ambayo ina kidogo sana decomposed nyenzo za kikaboni na vitendo kama hifadhi kwa ajili ya kuhifadhi kaboni. Hali ya maji ya mwamba huwezesha mchanga kufanyizwa. Zipatikana katika maji ya barafu na mimea inaongozwa na graminoids, forbs, vichaka, na conifers stunted. Mimea hiyo ni mahali pazuri pa kuishi kwa mamalia wadogo kama vile shrews, voles, minks, na muskrats. Aina nyingi tofauti za vipepeo na nondo huishi tu katika mabwawa. Kwa sasa, mabadiliko ya maji na kuwepo kwa spishi za uvamizi zinatishia kudumu kwa vichaka hivyo. Mtiririko mwingi sana wa maji ya juu na kupungua kwa maji ya chini ya ardhi huzuia uhai wao wa muda mrefu. Jamii zote tofauti za fen ziko hatarini. Mbuga ni maeneo yenye unyevunyevu, yenye asidi, na yenye unyevunyevu ambao hutokea katika vilima vya maji na maji ya barafu. Mabwawa ni mazuri sana katika kuhifadhi kaboni. Hali ya asidi na maji hupunguza uharibifu na kuunda mazingira bora kwa ajili ya maendeleo ya peat. Sphagnum moss ni aina kuu ya mimea, lakini mimea ambayo inaweza kuvumilia hali ya asidi, kama baadhi ya vichaka na miti ya conifer stunted, pia inaweza kukua. Utofauti wa mabwawa ni mdogo, baadhi ya wanyama ambao hutokea ni swamp sparrows, nyimbo sparrows, mamalia wadogo, vipepeo na nondo. Spishi fulani za vipepeo na nondo huishi tu katika mabwawa. Kuzuia upatikanaji na kudumisha hali ya sasa ya maji kutasaidia kuhifadhi mabwawa. Kwa sasa, mojawapo ya jamii hizo mbili tofauti huonwa kuwa dhaifu. Maeneo yenye unyevunyevu ya vichaka hukua katika maeneo yenye unyevunyevu na hufurika maji mwaka mzima au kwa majira. Aina kuu ya mimea inayopatikana katika jumuiya hizo ni vichaka. Sawa na mabwawa, beavers hutimiza fungu kubwa katika kudhibiti maji ya eneo hilo. Moose, mbwa-mwitu wa kijivu, lynx, mamalia wa majini na nyati wote hufaidika kutokana na uwepo wa maeneo yenye unyevunyevu ya vichaka. Vidimbwi hivyo hufanyiza makao ya kuzaliana ya wanyama wanaoishi katika bahari na baharini. Miti yenye matunda hutoa chakula kwa ndege wa kuimba, ndege wa mwituni, ndege wa mwituni, na ndege wanaohama. Ingawa maeneo ya mvua ya misitu huunga mkono utofauti mkubwa wa viumbe, kuenea kwa misitu katika aina nyingine za maeneo ya mvua kunaweza kubadilisha kazi za kibiolojia zinazotolewa na haipendekezi. Kuna aina moja tu ya maeneo ya mvua ya misitu ambayo inachukuliwa kuwa dhaifu, vitisho kuu ni mabadiliko ya maji kupitia mabwawa. Maeneo yenye misitu ya mvua hupatikana katika vilima, yakitawaliwa na miti na yanaweza kufurika kwa majira au mwaka mzima. Mimea hiyo hutoa chakula na makao kwa ndege wanaohama-hama, ndege wa kuimba, spishi zinazokaa kwenye vilima vya miti na popo wa Indiana. Vituo vya maji katika mazingira ni maeneo ya vidimbwi vya majira ya kuchipua, hii ni makazi ya msimu ya mafuriko bila uwepo wa samaki, hutoa makazi muhimu ya kuzaliana kwa amphibians na invertebrates ya maji. Mara nyingi maeneo yenye misitu na mabwawa huzungukwa na mashamba ya kilimo na ni makao ya spishi nyingi. Ni muhimu kupunguza mavuno ya mbao, kudumisha mfumo wa maji, kupunguza idadi ya nyati, na kudhibiti spishi za uvamizi. Maeneo yenye unyevunyevu hayawezi kubadilishwa na yanahitaji kulindwa. Si tu kwamba wao hutoa makao ya spishi nyingi zilizo hatarini mwa kutoweka na zilizo hatarini mwa kutoweka, bali pia hufanya kazi zisizoweza kubadilishwa za ikolojia. Filter virutubisho, kupunguza mafuriko katika maeneo ya makazi, kuhifadhi kaboni katika peat, kupunguza mmomonyoko na kujaza maji ya chini ya ardhi. Katika Michigan, maeneo mengi ya mvua yanachukuliwa kuwa sehemu ya Michigan's Seven Wetland Wonders, kikundi cha maeneo ya mchezo wa serikali na fursa kubwa za kuwinda, ndege, na kutazama wanyama wa porini. Ikiwa unataka kujifunza zaidi juu ya jamii nyingi za maeneo ya mvua na jinsi unavyoweza kusaidia, bonyeza hapa. Kwa habari kuhusu kazi ya ikolojia ya maeneo ya mvua, bonyeza hapa. Ili kujua zaidi kuhusu historia ya maeneo ya mvua huko Michigan, bonyeza hapa. Mkutano wa Mto Clinton utafanyika Aprili 9, na ikiwa huwezi kusherehekea Siku ya Maji ya Dunia, jiandikishe hapa.