Ecology of Freshwater and Estuarine Wetlands

List of Contributors Preface 1. Ecology of Freshwater and Estuarine Wetlands: An Introduction What Is a Wetland? Why Are Wetlands Important? Wetland Loss and Degradation What This Book Covers 2. Wetland Geomorphology, Soils, and Formative Processes Wetland Geomorphology and Wetland Soils Specific Wetland Types: Formative Processes, Geomorphology, and Soils Conclusions 3. Wetland Hydrology Hillslope Hydrologic Processes Geomorphic Controls on Wetland Hydrology Wetland Water Budgets Hydropattern Hydraulics and Water Quality Effects of Land Use Changes on Wetland Hydrology 4. Abiotic Constraints for Wetland Plants and Animals Hydrology Salinity 5. Biogeochemistry and Bacterial Ecology of Hydrologically Dynamic Wetlands Chapter Themes A Primer on Wetland Bacteriology The Hydrology of Temporary Wetlands Biogeochemical Cycles in Temporary Wetlands Organic-matter Decay in Temporary Wetlands Nutrient Uptake and Release in Temporary Wetlands Integration and Synthesis: Biogeochemistry, Hydrology, and Sediments in Temporary Wetlands Integration and Synthesis: Biogeochemistry, Hydrology, and Aquatic Plants in Temporary Wetlands 6. Development of Wetland Plant Communities Importance of Hydrologic Conditions Plant Community Development Plant Distributions in Wetlands Primary Productivity Limiting Nutrients in Wetlands Characteristics of Selected Wetlands 7. Wetland Animal Ecology Trophic Ecology Community Ecology Focal Wetland Animals 8. Wetland Ecosystem Processes Wetlands as Ecosystems Generation and Retention of High Amounts of Organic Matter Fluxes of Organic Matter and Energy in Aquatic Ecosystems Attached Microbial Community Metabolism and Interactions Modulation of Macrophytes and Periphyton by Mortality and Losses: What Do They Mean to Higher Trophic Levels? Defensive Mechanisms and Allelochemical Communication" Within Wetlands Potential Effects of Global Changes in Climate and Related Environmental Conditions on Ecosystem Processes 9. United States Wetland Regulation and Policy Wetland Definitions Federal Jurisdiction of Wetlands Wetland Delineation Wetland Functions and Values Functional Assessment Methods Summary 10. Wetland Restoration Catastrophic Versus Chronic Degradation Enabling Restoration Efforts Restore What? Identifying Feasible Goals How Theory Can Help Restoring Functions at the Watershed Scale Site-based Tactics Surprises and Their Lessons Evaluating Progress and Outcomes Long-term Stewardship Adaptive Restoration: An Approach That Simultaneously Advances Ecology and Accomplishes Restoration 11. Flood Pulsing and the Development and Maintenance of Biodiversity in Floodplains Characterization of Flood-pulsing Systems Definition and Classification of Wetland Organisms Strategies to Survive Flooding and Drought Speciation and Extinction: The Impact of Paleoclimatic History on Species Diversity Species Exchange Between Floodplains and Permanent Water Bodies Species Exchange Between Floodplains and Terrestrial Habitats Species Exchange Between Different Floodplains Species Exchange Between Intertidal Wetlands and Other Habitats Altering the Flood Pulse: Impacts on Biodiversity Conclusions 12. Consequences for Wetlands of a Changing Global Environment Assumptions Effects on Carbon Balance Effects on Species Composition and Redistribution Effects on Wetland Types Management and Policy Options Summary Literature Cited Index