Evapotranspiration is the sum of water vapor lost to the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration. Evaporation accounts for the movement of water to the air from sources such as the soil and bodies of water. Transpiration accounts for the movement of water within a plant and the subsequent loss of water as vapor through stomata in its leaves. Evapotranspiration is an important part of the water cycle.

Plants with a similar likelihood (estimated probability 33% to 67%) of occurring in both wetlands and non-wetlands. Examples: honey locust, common greenbrier

Plants that occur sometimes (estimated probability 1% to <33%) in wetlands, but occur more often (estimated probability >67% to 99%) in non-wetlands. Examples: red oak, tall cinquefoil

Facultative wetland species (FACW)

Plants that occur usually (estimated probability >67% to 99%) in wetlands, but also occur (estimated probability 1% to 33% in non-wetlands). Examples: green ash, Red-osier dogwood

A Histosol is one of 12 soil orders and can be classified into 4 suborders, including Folists, Fibrists, Hemists, and Saprists. The suborder Folist (from Latin folia, leaf) describes a group of organic soils that have formed under non-flooded conditions, composed of leaf litter and decaying wood fragments that have accumulated over bedrock, a scenario found in some forested environments.

A classification in soil taxonomy that denotes a composition of organic soils. Organic soil materials must be found in more than half of the upper 80 cm (about 2 feet) or may be any thickness if directly overlying bedrock. Histosols are low-density, acidic soils with a high proportion of organic material. Formed mainly in cold climates and under waterlogged conditions.

The sum total of macrophytic plant life that occurs in areas where the frequency and duration of inundation or soil saturation produce permanently or periodically saturated soils of sufficient duration to exert a controlling influence on the plant species present.

Plants that occur almost always (estimated probability >99%) in wetlands under natural conditions, but which may also occur rarely (estimated probability <1%) in non-wetlands. Examples: smooth cordgrass, bald cypress

Oxidized rhizospheres occur in spaces around living plant roots when oxygen comes into contact with reduced iron (ferrous iron, Fe+2). Iron oxide is then precipitated (ferric iron, Fe+3) and forms a coating. These linings may form in 4 to 8 weeks of soil saturation.

Soil horizons

A soil horizon is a layer of soil or soil material approximately parallel to the land surface. Layers in the soil horizon often differ from one another in physical, chemical, and biological properties. Soil color, structure, and texture are properties that may be used to characterize layers in a soil horizon.

The area in which a change from wetlands to non-wetlands occurs. The transition zone may be narrow or broad.

Plants that occur rarely (estimated probability <1%) in wetlands, but occur almost always (estimated probability >99%) in wetlands under natural conditions. Examples: shortleaf pine, soft brome

Wetlands

 “Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.”


Wetlands typically have 3 diagnostic characteristics:

1. Wetlands Plants-- Any plant growing in water or on a substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen as a result of excessive water content.

2. Soil-- Soil that is wet long enough to periodically produce anaerobic conditions, thereby influencing the growth of plants.

3. Hydrology—The area is permanently or periodically inundated with water at less than 6.6 feet.