Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Wetland geomorphology, soils, and formative processes

Informally Refereed

Abstract

The soil is where many of the hydrologic and biogeochemical processes that influence wetland function and ecology occur. A complete understanding of wetland formation, wetland ecology, and wetland management requires a basic understanding of soils, including soil properties, soil processes, and soil variability. In this chapter, we will discuss how soils and landscapes influence the local hydrologic cycle to lead to the development of wetland hydrology. We then will examine some fundamental soil properties and how they lead to and respond to the development of wetland hydrology. Finally, we will consider specific types of wetland ecosystems and discuss their general distribution, origin, hydrology, soil, and vegetation.

Citation

​Kolka, Randall K.; Thompson, James A. 2006. Wetland geomorphology, soils, and formative processes. In: Batzer, Darold P.; Sharitz, Rebecca R., eds. Ecology of freshwater and estuarine wetlands. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press: 7-42.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/57567