Abstract

Wetlands are ecotones that buffer the interactions of terrestrial and aquatic systems. Considered wastelands until relatively recently, their value is currently being recognized with greater public awareness and development of a national policy. Wetlands protect aquatic systems from upland environments through sedimentation and filtration of runoff and providing environments for nutrient assimilation. Likewise, wetlands can protect uplands from aquatic systems by diverting and dissipating floodwater volume and energy. Major research needs in the area of wetland science include: (i) wetland delineation, (ii) characterization of wetland soils, and (iii) biogeochemical processes in soil and water column regulating the water quality. This overview provides a brief introduction to the papers presented at a symposium entitled “Wetland Processes and Water Quality” sponsored by Division A-5 of the American Society of Agronomy and S Divisions within the Soil Science Society of America.

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