Wetlands: Transitional Ecosystem and (Blue) carbon sinks

Wetlands are transitional ecosystem falls between terrestrial and aquatic systems. About 4-6% of the earth’s surface are wetlands. Wetlands are unique for its biodiversity and functions such as trapping sediment, water purification, flood regulation and mitigating global warming as carbon sink. Coastal wetlands such as seagrass beds, mangroves and salt marshes are known as “blue carbon” as carbon is stored in the sea. In this review edition, wetlands are classified based on their water source such as wetlands with predominantly precipitation inputs (Pocosins, Cypress, domes, Prairie Potholes, Playa and rain water basin/ sandhills wetlands, Vernal or Seasonal pools, The Everglades), wetlands with predominately receive water from groundwater sources (Spring fed wetlands, Peatlands, Atlantic White Cedar Swamps) and wetlands with predominately surface water inputs (Southern Deep Water Swamps, Riverine Flood Plain Wetlands, Fresh water shoreline wetlands, Tidal Salt marshes, Tidal Freshwater marshes, Mangrove Wetlands, Seagrass beds, shallow water wetlands, Coral reefs) which are defined by Ramsar convention on wetlands. In addition, Wetland restoration and creation, restoration projects and Constructed wetlands are described briefly. Author strongly beliefs this collected information may satisfy the needs of wetland ecologists to obtain a clear idea on the same.