Wetland Topography - Facts in description

Описание: • Formation: Marshes often form in low-lying areas or near water bodies; bogs develop in cool, wet climates where peat accumulates; swamps form in floodplains or coastal regions with ample water.
• Human Impact: All are threatened by drainage, development, and pollution. Bogs are particularly vulnerable to peat harvesting, marshes to agriculture, and swamps to logging.

Facts About Marshes
• Definition: Marshes are wetlands frequently or continuously inundated with water, characterized by herbaceous (non-woody) plants like grasses, reeds, and sedges.
• Water: Typically have standing water or saturated soils, often connected to rivers, lakes, or tidal systems. Water can be fresh, brackish, or saline.
• Ecosystem: Support diverse wildlife, including birds (e.g., herons, ducks), amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. They act as nurseries for many species.
• Soil: Nutrient-rich, often composed of mud or silt, supporting high plant productivity.
• Types: Include freshwater marshes (e.g., Everglades), tidal marshes (coastal), and prairie potholes (small, seasonal wetlands).
• Function: Filter pollutants, reduce flooding by absorbing water, and sequester carbon.

Facts About Bogs
• Definition: Bogs are wetlands with waterlogged, acidic soils, primarily fed by rainwater rather than groundwater or surface water.
• Water: Stagnant, low-oxygen water with high acidity (pH 3.5–5), limiting decomposition and leading to peat accumulation.
• Ecosystem: Dominated by mosses (especially sphagnum), shrubs, and some specialized plants like carnivorous sundews and pitcher plants. Wildlife includes fewer species, like frogs, insects, and specific birds.
• Soil: Peat-based, low in nutrients, formed from partially decayed plant matter.
• Types: Blanket bogs (cover large areas) and raised bogs (dome-shaped, elevated above surroundings).
• Function: Store carbon (peat bogs are significant carbon sinks), preserve organic material (e.g., bog bodies), and support unique biodiversity.

Facts About Swamps
• Definition: Swamps are forested wetlands, saturated or flooded with water, dominated by woody plants like trees and shrubs.
• Water: Can have standing water seasonally or year-round, with fresh, brackish, or saline water, often fed by rivers or groundwater.
• Ecosystem: Support diverse fauna, including alligators, snakes, birds, and mammals. Trees like cypress, mangroves, or willows are common.
• Soil: Rich in organic matter, often muddy or clay-based, supporting dense vegetation.
• Types: Include freshwater swamps (e.g., bottomland hardwood swamps) and mangrove swamps (coastal, saline).
• Function: Stabilize soil, prevent erosion, provide habitats, and act as water purifiers.