How wetlands function (processes)

In some cases it may be necessary to consider broader environmental processes that may be physical or chemical and not directly involve organisms. Environmental processes play a key role in influencing the extent, condition and biodiversity of ecosystems[3].

Physical processes include changes in temperature, light, rainfall, energy, sedimentation, tides and the coastline.

Chemical processes include changes in pH, nutrients, salinity, oxygen, oxidation-reduction and carbon

Biological processes include changes in flora or fauna species composition, reproduction, regeneration, dispersal, pollination, feeding, competition and human influences.

Explore and search wetland processes

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• Adsorption and Desorption
• Aeolian
• Aggregation (biota)
• Anthropogenic activities
  • Wetland hydrological modification conceptual models
    • Bunding
      • Bund creating an artificial wetland
      • Bund in a channel
      • Bund outside a channel
    • Constructed channel
      • Constructed channel - creating an artificial wetland
      • Constructed channel in a wetland
    • Controlled surface hydrology
      • Controlled surface hydrology creating an artificial wetland
      • Controlled surface hydrology in a channel
      • Controlled surface hydrology outside a channel
    • Cultivation and cropping in a wetland
    • Excavation
      • Excavation creating an artificial wetland
      • Excavation in a channel
      • Excavation outside a channel
    • Partial drainage
      • Partial drainage
      • Partial drainage causing conversion to an intertidal wetland
    • Partial infilling
      • Partial infilling
      • Partial infilling causing conversion from an intertidal wetland
• Cyclones
• Deposition and Sedimentation
• Drought
• Erosion
• Evaporation and evapotranspiration
• Flooding
• Groundwater discharge
• Groundwater recharge
• Migration
• Movement (ecology)
• Nitrogen processes and cycle
  • Lacustrine
  • Mangrove
  • Palustrine
  • Rainforest
• Oxidation and reduction (redox)
• Photosynthesis
• Precipitation (including rainfall), runoff and infiltration
• Reproduction and breeding
• Roosting
• Stratification
• Water currents
• Waves (water)
• Carbon processes and cycle
  • Wetlands and the carbon cycle
• Water processes
  • Catchment stories
  • Hydrology
    • Water regime
  • River processes
    • River flows (hydrograph)
• Sediment processes

References

1. ^ Australian Natural Heritage Charter for the conservation of places of natural heritage significance – second edition (2002), Australian Heritage Commission, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT.
2. ^ National Framework and Guidance for Describing the Ecological Character of Australia’s Ramsar Wetlands. Aquatic Ecosystems Toolkit Module 2: Interim Australian National Aquatic Ecosystem (ANAE) Classification Framework (2008). [online], Australian Government, Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), Canberra, ACT. Available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/environmental/ecosystems/ae-toolkit-mod-2.html.
3. ^ Plant, R, Taylor, C, Hamstead, M & Prior, T (2012), Recognising the broader benefits of aquatic systems in water planning: an ecosystem services approach. Waterlines report, National Water Commission, Canberra, ACT.

Last updated: 6 October 2023