From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
- This article is about marsh, a type of wetland. For other uses of the word marsh see marsh (disambiguation).
Freshwater marsh in Florida
In geography, a marsh is a type of wetland, featuring grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, cat tails, and other herbaceous plants (possibly with low-growing woody plants) in a context of shallow water. A marsh is different from a swamp, which is dominated by trees rather than grasses and low herbs. The water of a marsh can be fresh, brackish or saline. Coastal marshes may be associated with estuaries and along waterways between coastal barrier islands and the inner coast. Estuarine marshes often are based on soils consisting of sandy bottoms or bay muds.
Below water decomposition processes often produce marsh gas, which may through self-ignition manifest as Will o' the wisps (aka. Jack-a-lanterns or spirites).
Marshes are critically important wildlife habitat, often serving as breeding grounds for a wide variety of animal life.
Constructed wetlands featuring surface-flow design are usually in the form of a marsh.
Marsh in
Point Pelee, Ontario, Canada
[edit] See also
- Biodiversity Action Plan
- Fen
- Saltmarsh
- Swamp
