Muskoka Water Web

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Wetlands

Wetlands can be defined as being both:

Lands that are permanently or seasonally flooded by shallow water
Lands where the water table is close to or at the surface

Wetlands are characterized by

Being dominated by water tolerant plants
Developing hydric soils

What are hydric soils?

Hydric soils are soils that are formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions (conditions without oxygen) in the upper layers.

Types of Wetlands

There are four major types of wetlands

Find out more about the wetlands in Ontario.

Canada has taken a leading role among other nations in the conservation of wetland areas. Wetlands contribute to the environmental, economical and social well-being of the country.

Importance of Wetlands

They improve and maintain water quality, prevent erosion on shorelines, and help control floods
They trap sediments that would otherwise fill watercourses
They support complex food chains
They provide habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals like waterfowl
They purify water
They breakdown other contaminants into less harmful compounds
They help maintain water quality in surrounding waterbodies
They provide valuable resource products such as wild rice
They provide benefits such as trapping, hunting, fishing which contributes economically and socially
They supply recreational opportunities, such as bird watching, canoeing, hunting and fishing

Does the surrounding environment matter?

Wetlands form part of the surrounding area and are part of a healthy ecosystem. The majority of wildlife that rely on wetlands also live in upland areas for a portion of their life. Some endangered species rely on both the wetlands and the surrounding environment for a portion or all of their life cycle.