The level at which water stays in a soil profile. The zone of saturation at the highest average depth during the wettest season. A site that regularly has areas of open water for part or all of the year, or has a water table within 10 cm of the surface for at least 3 months of the year. Wetland ecosystems support a range of plant and animal species adapted to a aquatic or semi-aquatic environment. A shrub in which the leaves are reduced to scales that are close-set and pressed against the stem. A ring of branches or leaves arising at the same level around the stem of a plant. Aranged in a ring around the stem.