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Conservation, Education & Community Interaction since 1977
WHAT IS A WETLAND
Let's learn about these beautiful wetlands!
There are 5 different kinds of wetlands that foster 5 different ecosystems each with many specific attributes that determine the kind of organisms that can thrive in each.
Bog
Different species of moss (primarily sphagnum) cover the majority of the surface of bogs. This moss gives the wetland the ability to hold 25 times it’s weight in water. The moss often forms large carpets that float on top of the water that can support the weight of some small animals.
Pond
Ponds are open bodies of still fresh water. They are no more then 1.8 meters deep and consist primarily of open water in the middle and vegetation around the perimeter. Ponds can be rainwater that collects in a divot, water from a river that gets trapped in the spring, or artificially made.
Swamp
A swamp is a forested wetland. This wetland is critically dependent upon rainwater and seasonal flooding. This annual influx of water allows for the swamp to help manage spontaneous water influxes and deficits throughout the year.
Freshwater Marsh
This wetland is normally very large and has vegetation in the middle as well as around the edge. Often, freshwater marshes are around 50% vegetation and 50% open water. There are more plants and animals found here than in any other kind of wetland.
Saltwater Marsh
Saltwater Marshes look similar to freshwater marshes on the outside, but, their water comes from the ocean and is very salty. This cause different species of plants and animals to inhabit this wetland. Salt marshes are essential for the delivery of nutrients to coastal waters.
