Water table - The upper surface of ground water or that level below which the 

 soil is saturated with water. It is at least 6 in. thick and persists in the 

 soil for more than a few weeks. 



Wetlands - Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground 

 water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal 

 circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for 

 life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, 

 marshes, bogs, and similar areas. 



Wetland boundary - The point on the ground at which a shift from wetlands to 

 nonwetlands or aquatic habitats occurs. These boundaries usually follow 

 contours. 



Wetland determination - The process or procedure by which an area is adjudged 

 a wetland or nonwetland. 



Wetland hydrology - The sum total of wetness characteristics in areas that are 

 inundated or have saturated soils for a sufficient duration to support 

 hydrophytic vegetation. 



Wetland plant association - Any grouping of plant species that recurs wherever 

 certain wetland conditions occur. 



Wetland soil - A soil that has characteristics developed in a reducing atmo- 

 sphere, which exists when periods of prolonged soil saturation result in 

 anaerobic conditions. Hydric soils that are sufficiently wet to support 

 hydrophytic vegetation are wetland soils. 



Wetland vegetation - The sum total of macrophytlc plant life that occurs in 

 areas where the frequency and duration of inundation or soil saturation pro- 

 duce permanently or periodically saturated soils of sufficient duration to 

 exert a controlling influence on the plant species present. As used herein, 

 hydrophytic vegetation occurring in areas that also have hydric soils and 

 wetland hydrology may be properly referred to as wetland vegetation. 



Woodv vine - See liana. 



■' 



Xerophytic - A plant species that is typically adapted for life in conditions 

 where a lack of water is a limiting factor for growth and/or reproduction. 

 These species are capable of growth in extremely dry conditions as a result of 

 morphological, physiological, and/or reproductive adaptations. 



A14 



