CWD Wetland Functions & Values

Question 1

Which primary function do wetlands perform by temporarily storing excess stormwater and releasing it slowly downstream?

Accepted Answer

Flood attenuation

Answer

Sediment trapping

Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Groundwater recharge

Question 2

Which microbial process in wetland soils converts nitrates to nitrogen gas, permanently removing nitrogen from the aquatic system?

Accepted Answer

Denitrification

Answer

Nitrification

Answer

Ammonification

Answer

Nitrogen fixation

Question 3

The Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) approach to wetland functional assessment classifies wetlands primarily based on:

Accepted Answer

Geomorphic setting, water source, and hydrodynamics

Answer

Dominant plant community type and structure

Answer

Soil taxonomy and horizon development

Answer

Regulatory jurisdiction and permit status

Question 4

Carbon sequestration in wetlands is most significant in which type of system due to slow organic matter decomposition under anaerobic conditions?

Accepted Answer

Peatlands such as bogs and fens

Answer

Tidal salt marshes

Answer

Seasonal vernal pools

Answer

Freshwater emergent marshes

Question 5

Coastal wetlands such as salt marshes and mangroves support marine fisheries primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Serving as critical spawning grounds and nursery habitat for juvenile fish

Answer

Filtering saltwater to create freshwater nursery zones

Answer

Producing algae that serves as the sole food source for fish

Answer

Creating physical barriers that protect adult fish from ocean predators

Question 6

What is the fundamental difference between a wetland 'function' and a wetland 'value'?

Accepted Answer

Functions are ecological processes; values represent human-assigned worth of those processes

Answer

Functions are measured monetarily; values are measured in acreage

Answer

Functions apply to freshwater systems only; values apply to coastal systems

Answer

Functions are regulated by EPA; values are regulated by the Army Corps of Engineers

Question 7

In the HGM classification system, which wetland class receives its water and nutrients almost exclusively from precipitation with negligible surface or groundwater inputs?

Accepted Answer

Organic soil flat

Answer

Riverine

Answer

Depressional

Answer

Slope