Plants in Wetlands: An Overview of Their Fundamental and Applied Ecology

Wetland plant species differ from those of non-wetlands in being uniquely stress-tolerant to periods of saturated anaerobic soil, inundation, and in tidal areas, salinity. Communities of wetland plants also differ from those of other ecosystems in being regulated by statutes such as a federal Clean Water Act and the Maryland Tidal and Nontidal Wetlands Protection Acts. The ecology of wetland plant communities is fascinating in its own right, but their value to society is also evident from their regulated status protecting and restoring the ecosystem services they provide, including habitat and biodiversity support, water quality improvement, and storm and flood protection.

Vegetation in wetlands is as diverse as variation in climate, geomorphology, hydrology, and human activity. However, there are broad categories of wetland plant species and communities that share ecological characteristics we can use to grasp important controls on their distribution. In this talk, Dr. Andy Baldwin will introduce us to these fascinating and important vegetative species.

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