Mysteries of the Mire
Wetlands are essential to the livelihoods of all of us. They constitute approximately 6% of the Earth's land area and are widely acknowledged among the most productive ecosystems. A wetland is a region of land that is either submerged in water or thoroughly saturated with it. The water source may include groundwater, emerging from an aquifer or spring, and can also originate from a nearby river, lake, or even seawater, particularly in coastal regions with significant tidal activity. ​​​
Wetlands can be classified into two categories permanent or seasonal and can be further sub divided into marshes, swamps, bogs and fens. Permanent wetlands are always saturated with water regardless of tidal or rainfall fluctuations and can be sourced by the sea, rivers or springs. Seasonal wetlands rely on specific times of the year, such as the rainy months, to take shape.
Wetlands are also identified by the type of vegetation grown in the area. The moisture content of wetland soil plays a crucial role in shaping the surrounding vegetation. Plants thriving in wetlands exhibit special adaptations to their waterlogged (hydric) soil and are commonly referred to as hydrophytes.
In The Bahamas, research have shown that wetlands extend over 40% of the country's land area. The significance of wetlands is well-recognized, encompassing various roles such as serving as water sinks that collect and purify water, acting as nurseries for crucial marine species, functioning as carbon sinks through mangrove plants that annually sequester and store substantial amounts of carbon in their roots, serving as vital buffers against storm surge.
Ephemeral wetland
Fresh water wetland
fact sheets
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
posters
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!
photo gallery
 |  |
|---|
resources
Barbier, E.B., 2016. The protective service of mangrove ecosystems: A review of valuation methods. Marine pollution bulletin, 109(2), pp.676-681.
​
Bullock, A. and Acreman, M., 2003. The role of wetlands in the hydrological cycle. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 7(3), pp.358-389.
​​Biodiversity Facts. Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services. https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile?country=bs#:~:text=Wetlands%20comprise%2040%25%20of%20the,forest%20and%20other%20wetland%20habitats.
​​
Feller, I.C., Lovelock, C.E., Berger, U., McKee, K.L., Joye, S.B. and Ball, M.C., 2010. Biocomplexity in mangrove ecosystems. Annual review of marine science, 2, pp.395-417.
​
​Sahoo, K. and Dhal, N.K., 2009. Potential microbial diversity in mangrove ecosystems: a review.
​
Wetland (nationalgeographic.org)
​