Texas Wetlands Quiz

Why are wetlands considered one of Texas' most valuable natural treasures?

• They provide recreational areas for tourists.

• They are one of Texas' most valuable natural treasures because they provide flood protection, improve water quality, and provide millions of dollars in economic benefits each year.

• They are the primary source of drinking water for Texas.

• They are home to the largest oil reserves in Texas.

What has happened to Texas wetlands in the past 200 years?

• They have doubled in size due to conservation efforts.

• They have been unaffected by human activity.

• They have been drained, filled, used as dumps, and are generally misunderstood, leading to the loss of more than half of them.

• They have been turned into agricultural lands without any negative consequences.

What are wetlands?

• Only large, permanent bodies of water

• In-between places where the water meets the land

• Areas with no vegetation

• Dry land areas that never have water

Which of the following is NOT a feature of typical wetland ecosystems?

• Water that stands or flows gently through low areas for at least part of the year

• Plants that have adapted to life in wet environments

• Soils that develop in oxygen-poor conditions and are saturated for at least part of the year

• Areas that are always dry and never support life

What type of water is associated with coastal wetlands?

• Freshwater only

• Saltwater only

• A combination of salt and fresh water mixed together

• Chemically treated water

What type of wetlands are formed by rainfall, springs, rivers, and other freshwater sources?

• Coastal wetlands

• Desert wetlands

• Freshwater wetlands

• Urban wetlands

Which of the following is a characteristic of plants found in freshwater wetlands?

• They require dry conditions to survive

• They have adapted to changes in salinity

• They survive fluctuating water conditions

• They are typically found in desert environments

What percentage of Texas' salt and freshwater fish species depend on wetlands for food, spawning, and nursery grounds?

• 43%

• 90%

• 50%

• 25%

What is one of the biological jobs of wetlands mentioned in the text?

• Filtering sunlight

• Providing nursery and spawning grounds for fish and habitat for wildlife

• Producing oxygen

• Regulating temperature

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, what percentage of North America's threatened or endangered species depend on wetlands for survival?

• 43%

• 90%

• 25%

• 10%