The Biogeochemistry of Submerged Soils
Chapter One
Introduction
Submerged soils behave and affect the environment in substantially different ways
to dryland soils. This chapter discusses the main characteristics and environmental
effects of submerged soils and the wetlands they support, and their extent across
the globe.
1.1 GLOBAL EXTENT OF SUBMERGED SOILS AND WETLANDS
For the purposes of the book I define wetlands as lands that are intermittently
or permanently inundated with water to a depth of no more than a few metres.
Depending on the precise definition applied, estimates of the total global wetland
area range from 700 to 1000 Mha (Aselmann and Crutzen, 1989; Scharpenseel,
1997; Mitsch and Gosselink, 2000). Figure 1.1 shows their approximate distribution
and Table 1.1 the extents of different types distinguished by hydrology,
vegetation and soil characteristics. The largest areas are the bogs and ... read full excerpt from The Biogeochemistry of Submerged Soils ebook
