Healthy wetlands: valuing both the wet and the dry
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(Published version)
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2009
Authors
Jenkins, K.
Panizzon, D.
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Journal article
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Teaching Science, 2009; 55(1):15-20
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Abstract
February 2nd of each year is World Wetlands Day. It commemorates the signing of the Ramsar Convention in Iran in 1971 and the crucial role wetlands play in terms of ecological health. Not only do they provide essential habitats for many aquatic species of organisms but they are used by many terrestrial animals as temporary havens for food, or sites for reproduction. At a broader level, wetlands act as a buffer system for the surrounding landscape as they filter water thereby removing pollutants and excess nutrients. Healthy functioning of wetlands requires an important cycling between periods of inundation and drying in order to enhance their biological productivity and sustainability. While it is easy to observe and understand the impact of water during the wet, it is more difficult to fully appreciate the dry period. For many, a dry wetland is a lifeless and uninspiring place to visit. In this article we set out to change this view using an exciting investigation that will help students to appreciate the complex relationships that exist between the 'wet' and the 'dry'.
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Copyright 2009 Australian Science Teachers Association. Permission has been received from the publisher to make this work available under open access conditions. You may download, print, and save an electronic copy of this work for your own personal non-commercial use provided that you attribute the authors. Any other use requires explicit written permission from the copyright owner..