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Discovering the Basics of Wetlands

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Discovering the Basics of Wetlands

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Jeffrey W. Matthews, Ph.D.

Included with

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

11 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

11 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Major components of wetlands, including their formation and hydrology
Types of plants and animals that utilize wetland habitats and their adaptations to this environment
Structure and function of wetlands and the importance of their ecosystem services

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

91%

of learners achieved a positive career outcome

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is available as part of

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be asked to select a specific program.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

In this course, learners will get familiarized with the major components of wetlands, including their formation and hydrology. They will explore the different soil types, the role of nutrient cycling, and the intrinsic connection to the resulting vegetation. The course will cover the types of plants and animals that utilize wetland habitats and their adaptations to this environment. By the end of the course, learners will have a comprehensive understanding of the structure and function of wetlands, as well as the importance of the resulting ecosystem services.

This course is part of the College of ACES suite of online programs, including the graduate-level certificate, "Wetland Science and Conservation" that can be stacked toward an online master's degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. To learn more about online programs from the College of ACES and explore ways to apply your Coursera work toward a degree program at the University of Illinois, visit ACES Online at acesonline.illinois.edu.

Module details

In the course orientation, you will become familiar with the course, your classmates, and our learning environment. The orientation will also help you obtain the technical skills required for the course. Then dive into the second part of this module to explore the fascinating world of wetlands from wetland types to formation and hydrology. People have recognized wetlands for a long time, but it’s only more recently that we’ve started to call all these places wetlands.

What's included

10 videos7 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

10 videosTotal 54 minutes

Meet Your Instructor | Dr. Anna Ball1 minute
Module 1 | Overview 2 minutes
What are Wetlands?6 minutes
Where Wetlands Occur4 minutes
Major Wetland Types9 minutes
Wetland Formation11 minutes
Hydroperiods5 minutes
Water Budgets8 minutes
Surface Water & Groundwater Interactions7 minutes
Module 1 | Wrap-up1 minute

7 readingsTotal 80 minutes

Course Guide5 minutes
Updating Your Profile10 minutes
Course Glossary 10 minutes
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | Wetlands Mapper10 minutes
EPA | Classification and Types of Wetlands15 minutes
10 Reasons Why the Geomorphology of Wetlands is Important20 minutes
Additional Resources10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 40 minutes

Module 1 | Knowledge Check30 minutes
Orientation Quiz10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Getting to Know Your Classmates10 minutes

1 pluginTotal 5 minutes

Supplemental Video | Understanding Wetland Hydrology by Ducks Unlimited Canada5 minutes

You will explore the foundation of wetlands and their soils in this module. The characteristics of wetlands hydric soils contribute to the unique plant and animal life found in wetland ecosystems. Explore how nutrients and energy cycling occurs in wetlands and tackle global conservation issues.

What's included

11 videos3 readings1 assignment

11 videosTotal 53 minutes

Module 2 | Overview1 minute
Importance & Makeup of Hydric Organic Soils6 minutes
Soil Color & Wetland Delineation3 minutes
Peat Bogs & Paludification7 minutes
Wetland Landscapes & Nutrient Cycling5 minutes
Redox Reactions in Wetlands6 minutes
The Role of Nitrogen in Wetlands5 minutes
The Role of Phosphorus & Sequestering Nutrients in Wetlands5 minutes
Sulfur & Methane in Wetlands5 minutes
Soil Fertility in Wetlands9 minutes
Module 2 | Wrap-up2 minutes

3 readingsTotal 70 minutes

Course Glossary10 minutes
Wetland and Hydric Soils30 minutes
Nutrients in Wetlands: Implications to Water Quality under Changing Climatic Conditions30 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 2 | Knowledge Check30 minutes

Wetlands are home to a unique and diverse range of organisms that have adapted to the difficulties of moisture, acidity, low oxygen, and fluctuating temperatures found in these ecosystems. You will explore the intricacies of wetland organisms and how they have adapted to thrive in a tough ecosystem.

What's included

9 videos5 readings1 assignment

9 videosTotal 41 minutes

Module 3 | Overview 2 minutes
Positive Feedback5 minutes
Wetland Animals as Ecosystem Engineers4 minutes
Wetland Plants as Ecosystem Engineers3 minutes
Stressors: Lack of Oxygen9 minutes
Adaptations to Anoxia10 minutes
Adaptations to Hypoxia3 minutes
Adaptations to Salinity 4 minutes
Module 3 | Wrap-up2 minutes

5 readingsTotal 55 minutes

Course Glossary10 minutes
Amphibians and Reptiles10 minutes
Mammals10 minutes
Birds10 minutes
11 Surprising Wetland Plant Adaptations15 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Module 3 | Knowledge Check30 minutes

Wetland structure is largely impacted by hydrology. This impacts the species present in a particular wetland and the overall structure of the wetland. You will examine the role of hydrology and it's impact on the ecosystem services and functions a wetland may provide. At the conclusion of this module, you will be ready to complete the final assessment for the course and earn your Coursera certificate!