Table of Contents

Preface v

1 Introduction 1

Wetland Ecosystems 2

Wetland Ecosystems Services 13

Role of This Book 17

2 Coastal Wetlands 19

Tidal Salt Marshes 22

Tidal Freshwater Wetlands 45

Mangrove Wetlands 61

3 Freshwater Swamps and Marshes 87

Freshwater Swamps 90

Freshwater Marshes 118

4 Peatlands 149

Geographical Extent 151

Hydrology and Peatland Development 153

Biogeochemistry 163

Vegetation 166

Consumers 174

Ecosystem Function 175

5 Ecosystem Approaches to Wetland Science 189

Mesocosms 190

Whole-Ecosystem Experimental Wetlands 204

Mathematical Models 217

Conclusions 234

Appendix A Odum Energy Language Symbols 237

References 239

General Index 279

Organism Index 285

About the Author

WILLIAM J. MITSCH, PhD, is Distinguished Professor of Environment and Natural Resources and Director of the Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park at The Ohio State University. Dr. Mitsch has been awarded the Stockholm Water Prize and the Society of Wetland Scientists Lifetime Achievement Award.

JAMES G. GOSSELINK, PhD, is Professor Emeritus at the School of the Coast and Environment at Louisiana State University. He has been awarded the Society of Wetland Scientists Lifetime Achievement Award.

CHRISTOPHER J. ANDERSON, PhD, is Assistant Professor in the School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University.

LI ZHANG, PhD, is Assistant Director of the Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetland Research Park at The Ohio State University.