Wetlands

From Swikipedia

Introduction

A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally. Such areas may also be covered partially or completely by shallow pools of water. Wetlands include swamps, marshes, and bogs, among others. The water found in wetlands can be saltwater, freshwater, or brackish.

Brief Description

Wetlands are adept in the process of biological purification as the numerous plants, animals and micro-organisms within the system serve to slowly disperse or consume the contaminants through natural processes. This works by allowing the run-off water to feed into the wetland, thereby allowing the ecology to process the water, releasing it slowly back into the ground, and possibly (depending on the system) allowing the treated water to flow slowly into a nearby water course.

Benefits:

• It aids in contaminant removal and infiltration, and can regulate the quality and quantity of water flow from the urban areas, depending on the size of the wetland system.

• It also provides an aesthetic appeal as well as sustains a diverse ecosystem.

Limitations:

• Maintenance of a wetland is an issue.

• There are safety concerns particularly in residential areas with small children.

• There are high amounts of sum involved to develop a wetland.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetland

The Energy and Resources Institute. Sustainable Building Design Manual, Volume 2. p.p 40