Wetland

Biotic Factors

Hydrophytes, Algae, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles

Abiotic Factors

[Hydric] Soil, Water, Temperature, Oxygen, Rainfall

Biodiversity

High: Special adaptations to low nutrient levels, acidic waters, and extreme temperatures bring forth an array of different organisms. Algae can exist in the same environment as a pelican.

Limiting Factors

Oxygen, Predation, Water (droughts), Competition

Carrying Capacity

Medium: Oxygen is an extremely important limiting factor in this environment. Not as many plants can exist in such a harsh environment. Not many mammals can exist in this type of environment.

Plants

Plant 1: Sweetflag

Taxonomy

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Order: Acorales

Family: Acoraceae

Genus: Acorus

Species: calamus

Adaptations

The sweetflag has evolved to be able to survive and acid conditions (between pH 5 and 7). In the wetland this is quite important because the waters that the plant must be situated in, is almost always acidic in nature.
This plant has adapted to survive in full sun and would much rather be in full sun.
In can be found in both high-quality and degraded wetlands. This means it has the ability to adjust to its environment relatively easily, especially regarding the nutrients available.
They typically form colonies of themselves in order to ensure survival. The more organisms that are together, the more likely it is that each rhizome will create an offspring.

Plant 2: Swamp Milkweed

Taxonomy

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Gentianales

Family: Apocynaceae

Genus: Asclepias

Species: incarnata

Adaptations

Swamp milkweed relies on insects for pollination. When an insect lands on the blossom, it slips along a curving horn. This causes its leg to go between the cups of the plant and pick up pollen. This adaptation allows all of the plants to be pollinated within an environment.
The fruit/seeds of a swamp milkweed are contained within an elegant pod that will only be split after its follicles have dried. Then the releasing of seeds will take place and the wind will sweep them away. This gives the species a chance at survival.
The plant is very adaptable to different types of soils: rocky, clay, sandy, and grasslands (little moisture). This gives the milkweed the ability to survive in multiple areas of the biome, instead of only having a chance at one.
After a milkweed plant is uprooted, it specifically leaves behind a small part of itself that gives it the ability to grow back after a certain period of time.
The plant has also adapted to possess a biter sap that is unpalatable for many herbivores.