Difference Between Swamp and Bog | Difference Between Difference Between Swamp and Bog • Categorized under Nature | Difference Between Swamp and Bog Swamp vs Bog There are four different types of wetlands. Each has very distinct characteristics, and the terms cannot be used interchangeably. First of all, let’s understand what wetlands are. They are places which are neither land nor water. Wetlands have unique characteristics which differentiate them from either land or water. The four different types of wetlands are; marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens. In this article we will concentrate on the differences only between swamps and bogs. Swamps Swamps are low wetlands formed by the collection of river water in a shallow and flat area. The collected river water flows out slowly into another river or stream. It is muddy and is characterized by trees. The trees can survive in swamps. They have the presence of two types of trees; trees which are tolerant to water, like cypress and mangrove, or land trees. The land trees grow on small islands like dry spots in the swamp. Swamps are found in the floodplains of rivers and in basins which are not very well drained. The soil in swamps is muddy, mucky soil.

This is because swamps are either continually flooded or are seasonally inundated. Swamps have some drainage, and water flows in from rivers or streams so that the water and trees may provide oxygen and other nutrients. It supports a variety of wildlife. Many species of fish, turtles, frogs, minks, herons, muskrats, and a tremendous number of insects can be found in swamps. Along with trees, many low-lying plants are also found in swamps. SOURCE: Bogs A bog is usually higher than its surrounding area. It contains water which is stagnant. It has no drainage or inflow. The water is collected mainly by precipitation and is held due to absorption by layers of peat. There are two different ways in which bogs are formed. They are either formed when the sphagnum moss fills a whole lake or pond by growing over the water body, this process is called terrestrialization, or when the moss grows over land and does not allow the water to leave; this process is called paludification. Peat deposits start building as the plants die and decay, and the water turns acidic.

Bogs support animals and plants which are characterized by adaptation towards water-logged conditions, low nutrients, and acidic waters, like Sundew which is a carnivorous plant. Most insectivorous plants are able to gain nitrogen from the insects by eating them. SOURCE: Wetlands Types and Classifications Wetlands Types and Classifications Wetlands have different characteristics. The most common feature of all wetlands is that the water table (the groundwater level) is very near to the soil surface or shallow water covers the surface for at least part of the year. The main characteristics of a wetland are determined by the combination of the salinity of the water in the wetland, the soil type and the plants and animals living in the wetland. Because of the high variability of the conditions, and because of the different needs for distinguishing among different types of wetlands, so far, there is no single wetlands classification system that would account for the manifold aspects of this specific ecosystem type. We will give more details about the two major types of classification of wetlands, discussed above ï¿½ the first is based on the traditional concept of a wetland, and the second is based on scientific grounds: 1.

Dependent mostly on a combination of the above conditions, the "traditional terminology" distinguishes between two major wetland types ï¿½ mineral and organic (Encyclopædia Britannica; FORESTED WETLANDS: Functions, Benefits and the Use of Best Management Practices), such as marsh, swamp, fen and bog: Mineral Soil Wetlands: Marsh ï¿½ a type of wetland ecosystem characterized by poorly drained mineral soils and by plant life dominated by grasses (see. Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). Marshes are common at the mouths of rivers, especially where extensive deltas have been built. The marsh plants slow down the flow of water and allow for the nutrient enriched sediments to be deposited, thus providing conditions for the further development of the marsh. Figure 2 ï¿½ Marsh (source ï¿½ FORESTED WETLANDS: Functions, Benefits and the Use of Best Management Practices). Figure 3 ï¿½ Tidal marsh along the Edisto River, South Carolina (source ï¿½ the US Environmental Protection Agency website).

Figure 4 ï¿½ Common Cattail (Typha latifolia) is a freshwater and estuarine marsh species (source ï¿½ US Environmental Protection Agency website). Swamp ï¿½ a wetland ecosystem characterized by mineral soils with poor drainage and by plant life dominated by trees (see Fig. 5). Swamps are found throughout the world, most often in low-lying regions (with poor drainage) next to rivers, which supply the swamp with water. Some swamps develop from marshes that slowly fill in, allowing trees and woody shrubs to grow. Figure 5 ï¿½ Swamp (source ï¿½ FORESTED WETLANDS: Functions, Benefits and the Use of Best Management Practices). The dominant vegetation, therefore, distinguishes the two major types of mineral soil wetlands: grasses dominate marshes, while trees dominate swamps. Both marshes and swamps may be freshwater or saltwater. Organic Soil Wetlands: Generally these wetlands are referred to as "peatlands" in recognition of their common ability to form peat (organic soil produced by the accumulation of plant material).

There are two major types of peatlands ï¿½ bogs and fens, both of which occur in similar climatic and geographic regions. Bog ï¿½ a type of wetland ecosystem characterized by wet, spongy, poorly drained peaty soil, dominated by the growth of bog mosses, Sphagnum, and heaths, particularly Chamaedaphne (see Fig. 6 and Fig. 7). Bogs are usually acid areas, frequently surrounding a body of open water. Bogs receive water exclusively from rainfall. Figure 6 ï¿½ Bog (source ï¿½ FORESTED WETLANDS: Functions, Benefits and the Use of Best Management Practices). Figure 7 ï¿½ Bog (source ï¿½ FORESTED WETLANDS: Functions, Benefits and the Use of Best Management Practices). Fen ï¿½ a type of wetland ecosystem characterized by peaty soil, dominated by grasslike plants, grasses, sedges, and reeds (see Fig. 8). Fens are alkaline rather than acid areas, receiving water mostly from surface and groundwater sources.

Figure 8 ï¿½ Fen (source ï¿½ the US Environmental Protection Agency website). The two major types of organic soil wetlands are, therefore, distinguished by their hydrological regime (see Fig. 9): bogs receive water mainly from precipitation, while fens are supplied with water mostly from surface and groundwater sources: Figure 9 ï¿½ Main differences between a bog and a fen (source ï¿½ FORESTED WETLANDS: Functions, Benefits and the Use of Best Management Practices). Bogs and fens often occur side by side (FORESTED WETLANDS: Functions, Benefits and the Use of Best Management Practices). Often there is no strict borderline between the two wetland types but a smooth transition from one type to the other, as is the case of the Augstumal mire/peatland complex in Lithuania (see Figure 10): Figure 10 ï¿½ Augstumal mire/peatland complex in Lithuania (source ï¿½ the International Mire Conservation Group website). Unfortunately, the "traditional terminology" has the significant disadvantage of being based on the traditional concept of a wetland (see part on what wetlands are).

As such, it takes into account comparatively few wetlands, mostly of inland freshwater character and of a relatively narrow climatic zone. Another great disadvantage of these traditional names is that many of them are highly localized ï¿½ for example, Johnson outlines that a "heath" in New Hampshire or Maine might be referred to as a "spong" in New Jersey (Johnson, 1985, in Johannesen and Gurganus), and Aber (2003) notes that the term "mire" is used mainly in Europe to denote any peatï¿½forming wetland (either bog or fen). To avoid these disadvantages, attempts have been made to develop a classification system that would take into consideration the various wetland types all over the world. 2. Two main scientifically-based and in a way comprehensive wetlands classification systems, developed for the purpose of wetlands inventory and management, have gained broad acknowledgement nowadays: the first of them has been developed by Cowardin and co-workers for the needs of the US government, and the second has been adopted by the Convention on Wetlands: The system developed by Cowardin and co-workers is organized in a hierarchical structure.

In tribute to the "traditional terminology", in their system they distinguish between "wetlands" and "deepwater habitats", because "traditionally the term wetland has not included deep permanent water" (Cowardin et al, 1979). Nevertheless, the scientists recognize the importance of the holistic approach to classification of wetlands, therefore in their classification they have included both types. Figure 11 shows the classification system developed by the team which defines five main Systems (Marine, Estuarine, Riverine, Lacustrine, and Palustrine), which are further divided into smaller Subsystems, Classes, Subclasses, and Dominance Types: Figure 11 ï¿½ Classification hierarchy of wetlands and deepwater habitats, showing Systems, Subsystems and Classes. The Palustrine system does not include deepwater habitats (source ï¿½ Cowardin et al, 1979). As initially developed, the classification system set up by Cowardin and co-workers (1979) did not include many wetland types that have resulted from human activities.

To avoid the weak point of Cowardin et allï¿½s classification system, the Convention on Wetlands developed a new and more comprehensive wetland classification system (adopted in 1990 and modified in 1996) ï¿½ the Ramsar Classification System for Wetland Type: Ramsar Classification System for Wetland Type (source ï¿½ the Convention on Wetlands website) Types of Wetlands - How Wetlands Work | HowStuffWorks Types of Wetlands Wetlands can form naturally or through animal or human activity. Common causes of natural wetlands include: Floodwaters from nearby lakes or rivers Saturation from rain and runoff Groundwater close to the surface that continually flows up Coastal waters that often immerse nearby land In addition­, wetlands ­might form when beavers dam a river or stream. The diversion of w­ater causes flooding and, as a result, wetlands develop. U.S. state agencies also may intentionally flood dry areas to encourage wetland formation to host wetland-dependent species. Up Next Could we make plastic from shrimp shells? //]]]]> ]]> There are actually several types of wetlands. The U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) categorizes wetlands into marshes, swamps, bogs and fens. Though they have differences, they all serve the environment by acting as a buffer against flooding, absorbing excess nutrients, and providing habitats for a wide variety of species. Let's take a closer look at ­each type­. A marsh is a wetland frequently or continually filled with water. Marshes can be found on the coast and inland, and can be either freshwater or saltwater. Characterized by grassy, soft vegetation that grows in the soggy soil conditions, marshes can be one of two types -- tidal or non-tidal. Found along coastlines, tidal marshes are most prevalent on the eastern coast of the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico. Non-tidal marshes are the most common type of wetlands in North America and occur along the boundaries of streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. Water is generally only a few inches or feet deep with soil that's extremely mineral-rich and organic. Non-tidal marshes host vegetation like lily pads, cattails, and reeds as well as a varied sample of animal life, including muskrats, otters, blue herons and blackbirds.

A swamp is any wetland dominated by woody plants and several feet of water. The Everglades in Florida is one example of a swamp. As with most wetlands, swamps function as flood protection and nutrient removal. The saturated ground and standing water form a black,­ thick and nutritious soil, providing a favorable environment for water-tolerant shrubs and trees. Fittingly, then, there are two types of swamps -- shrub swamps and forested swamps­. The difference between the two swamps simply is the type of vegetation present. You will often find shr­ub swamps and forest swamps adjacent to each other. Shrub swamps are swamps filled with lower, bushy vegetation such as willow, dogwood, swamp rose and mangroves. Forested swamps host trees like red maple, pin oak, tupelo, cypress and willows. They play a vital role in the survival of wetland-dependent animals, like ducks, snakes and otters. Bogs receive most of their water from precipitation, rather than runoff or floodwaters. Their spongy, mossy floors contain fewer nutrients than a marsh or swamp. As the moss decomposes, it forms acidic peat.

Acidic peat will burn for a very long time, and people harvest it for fuel. This peat is also very low in nutrients, and only specially adapted creatures may call a bog home, like salamanders, dragonflies, snakes and carnivorous plants. Found mostly in the northeast U.S. and Great Lakes regions, bogs are also an excellent area to grow cranberries. A fen is similar to a bog, except that a fen receives its water from the ground­ rather than from precipitation. The water that feeds a fen is actually water from melted glaciers . As the glacier melts, it deposits sand and gravel into the soil, preventing its runoff from permeating into the soil. Instead, it flows sideways and picks up minerals and sediment as it travels. This means a fen's ­water is much more rich and nutritious than a bog. Therefore, fens host a diverse community of plants and animals. Wildflowers, deer, turtles, butterflies and even fish may find a home in a fen. Fens are rare, found primarily in the northern hemisphere in areas with low temperatures. It can take up to 10,000 years for a fen to form naturally [sources: EPA and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service ].

In the next section, we'll examine the threats to wetlands. How quickly are wetlands disappearing? Four Types of Freshwater Wetlands Four Types of Freshwater Wetlands There are 4 main types of Freshwater Wetlands in North America; Ponds, Marshes, Swamps, and Peat bogs. A Pond is a well defined basin that is filled with stagnant water and ringed by vegetation. It is fed mainly by rainstorms and snowmelt, and loses most of its water through seepage and evaporation. In hot, dry months, parts of a Pond may dry out, exposing mud flats. In shallow Ponds, bottom rooted plants such as water lilies can reach the surface, while milfoils, pondweeds and other submergent plants thrive below the water's surface A Marsh is usually found near a river, lake or tidal waters. Marshes are subject to periodic flooding, and the water level can change drastically in a short amount of time. The boundaries of a marsh are not well defined, and in draught, a marsh can completely dry up. Marshes are overgrown with coarse grasses, sedges and rushes. A Swamp is essentially a wooded marsh.

Unlike Marshes, Swamps can support trees, tall shrubs, herbs and mosses. Swamps are covered with still or gently flowing water during wet seasons. A Peat bog is a poorly drained area that is covered by mats of moss, which slowly decompose in successive layers and eventually form a material called peat. There are 2 types of peat bogs; Bogs and Fens. The water of a Bog is much more acidic than that of a Fen, due to the larger quantities of sphagnum moss and the more advanced process of decomposition in a Bog. The vegetation of a Peat bog is mainly Sedges, Spruce and low-growing members of the Heath family. Difference Between A Marsh, A Swamp, A Bog, And A Fen - KnowledgeNuts KnowledgeNuts Difference Between A Marsh, A Swamp, A Bog, And A Fen By Debra Kelly on Monday, December 2, 2013 “When you’re up to your neck in alligators, it’s hard to remember that the original aim was to drain the swamp.” — Proverb In A Nutshell The world’s wetlands are ecosystems in themselves, and are defined by the flora and fauna they support.

Marshes are nutrient-rich wetlands that support a variety of reeds and grasses, while swamps are defined by their ability to support woody plants and trees. Bogs are characterized by their poor soil and high peat content, while fens have less peat and more plant life than a bog. The Whole Bushel One of the defining characteristics of a marsh is that they are consistently flooded with water from one source or another. Many marshes are freshwater, and exist in areas with poor drainage—along streambeds, lakes, and ponds. Because the soil is consistently wet from flooding, it is also extremely nutrient-rich, and can support a wide variety of plant and animal life. Marshes may also be tidal; saltwater marshes can be found along the oceans, and are saturated every time the tide comes in. While some marshes are also fed by groundwater, all receive most of their soil saturation from surface water like tides and rains. Some marshes, such as those that form when potholes and large depressions in the earth catch melting snow, can be temporary.

Most of the vegetation in marshes are along the lines of cattails and reeds, while swamps are defined by the trees which have adapted to live in standing water or constantly saturated dirt. This waterlogged dirt is high in nutrient content. Trees like the cypress and some varieties of maple and oak can survive in these wet areas that would rot the roots of other trees. Wetlands that support woody plants like the buttonbush or the swamp rose are considered shrub swamps. Mangroves are shrubby trees that thrive in this wet environment, doing so well that there is a sub-type of swamp called the mangrove swamp. Many swamps and marshes have been destroyed to turn their nutrient-rich soils into farmland. While other types of wetlands are very nutrient-rich, bogs are clearly defined by their lack of nutrients and their relative inability to support large plant life. A bog is created over hundreds or thousands of years, formed when plant matter decays in a lake and fills it. This creates layers and layers of peat, which is often drained before being harvested and burned as a heat source or used as insulation.

Bogs are freshwater, and in spite of the large amounts of decaying plant matter, they are very poor in nutrients because of the slow rate of decay. Most of the plant life around a bog is along the lines of fungi, mosses, and small shrubs. Many carnivorous plants, such as the pitcher plant and the sundew, have evolved in bogs to combat the low nutrient levels in the soil. Bogs are infinitely valuable in their ability to store carbon, removing this greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. Fens are very similar to bogs, and can contain much of the same decaying plant matter and peat. The difference is how they are formed. Fens are created by a water table that is very close to the surface and keeps the ground saturated. The water level in a fen can rise and fall slightly with changes to the water table, but fens are characterized by having flowing water year around. They tend to have a higher nutrient content than bogs and can support a wider variety of plant life. However, if the decaying plant matter reaches too high a level, it can strangle the nutrient levels of the fen and turn it into a bog.

Show Me The Proof JTScience - Freshwater Wetland JTScience Export (PDF) Location & Geography of Biome: Freshwater wetlands usually occur in shallow waters. These wetlands usually have seasonal variations of water depth, this including dry periods during which water doesn’t occur at or near the surface. There are four major wetlands. These four types are: marsh, swamp forest, bog, and fen. Marshes being the most productive of the four, are typically dominated by relatively tall, species of plants such as reed, cat-tail, and floating-leaved plants such as water lilies. Swamps are forested wetlands, seasonally or permanently flooded. In North America, tree-sized plants, including bald cypress and silver maple, overpower them. Bogs are unproductive that develop in cool but wet climates. Bogs rely on the nutrients from the atmosphere, and are typically dominated by species of moss. Fens also develop in cool, wet climates. Fens have a better nutrient supply compared to bogs and are constantly more productive. Climate of Biome: Wetlands are very vulnerable to climate variations and other events. The coastal wetlands are usually unstable to start off.

They are easily changed by, erosion, flooding, or the salt water. Water supply is a big concern. In certain areas like drier summers, its increased of the use of water for irrigation could reduce the supply of water for wetlands, either in a direct way or indirect. Another way would be a lower volume of water could than increase the concentrations of whichever pollutants that keep settling in the wetlands. Having small changes in the temperature or the water supply does have effect of the wetland. If the temperature rises then some plant species that we don’t want could expand northward. With high temperatures and low concentrations of oxygen they favor the growth of bacterium. When the change of seasonality of precipitation occurs it intends, or could harm plants and animals that have life cycles that only require certain amount of water at a certain time of the year. If such a change it could cause a decrease in a plant, which then the waterfowl depends on. Vegetation Types and Adaptations Plants and algae are very important to freshwater biomes. They are important because they provide oxygen through photosynthesis, and food for animals. Algae is food for many aquatic animals, like turtles.

In fast streams and rivers many plants have special structures that keep them from being carried away by the water. Some aquatic plants have strong roots that keep them anchored securely, while others have stems that bend easily with the movement of the water. Certain mosses are able to cling to rocks. Plants who live in still waters have different adaptations. Water lilies, algae, and duckweed float on the surface. Cattails and reeds grow along the shoreline of many freshwater ecosystems. Estuaries house plant life with the unique adaptation of being able to survive in fresh and salty environments. Mangroves and pickleweed are just some examples of estuarine plants. Animals of Biome & Adaptations:The muddy lake bottom is home to flatworms, segment worms, mollusks, crustaceans and insect larvae. There are also fish, frogs and newts that live in the reeds and rushes in the lake. Some animals that live in a pond that can dry up have to be specially adapted to live there. For example, the African lungfish can bury itself in the drying mud and can cover itself with a slimy cocoon so that its skin can stay moist. The African lungfish can stay buried for months at a time.

Some other fish can even travel across land to get to another pond like the climbing perch because their gills absorb oxygen from the air. Animals that live in rivers and streams had to find different ways to adapt to the strong current. One animal is a leech that moves along the bottom of the river or stream in a series of loops. Most fish are strong swimmers so they have adapted to the river and streams. But some fish has to cling or creep over stones. There are many birds that live in the wetlands. Some examples of birds are ducks, geese, wading birds like the sandpiper and plover, gulls and terns, herons. Other examples are cranes, fish eagles, and many small birds like warblers, finches, weavers and kingfishers. Ducks adapted to this environment by diving under water in the mud for worms and crustacean. Other birds have to dive deep to eat algae that are on the lake bed. Major Products/Exports/Goods/Services: Freshwater wetlands provide many services to the environment. The most unique of all ecosystems, freshwater wetlands work as a water purification system, control floods and erosion, as well as recycling nutrients in the water.

Freshwater wetlands control floods by absorbing water that runs off from rivers or from storms. The freshwater wetlands slow the movement of the incoming water and store it, keeping the levels of water under control. Freshwater wetlands control erosion filtering sediment and slowing the speed that water flows. Wetlands act as a filter, cleansing the water of pollutants by breaking them down. Organic materials are recycled and put back into the environment where they benefit the food chain. The water in these wetlands is about 0.01% of the water people use on a daily basis. Current/Major Stresses-Human Impact on Biome: Freshwater wetlands worldwide are under threat from secondary salinisation and climate change. Some wetland ecosystems may respond to the effects of seasonal change quickly, while others may do so more slowly. In slow response wetlands, seasonal variability has a weak impact on the ecosystem properties of stability, resilience and species richness. In fast response wetlands are seasonally controlled heavily. Seasonal variability may also reduce wetland resilience. This may also provide opportunities for the restoration of wetland by increases their sensitivity to management actions and recovery processes.

Stresses: Human Impacts Pollutants by human activities added 300,000 tons of nitrogen. Then they added 12,000 tons of phosphorus in the ground waters in 1996. Then added on to the surface waters and elevate levels in the groundwater. In 2000 there was 2.5 million tons of sulphur dioxide released in the environment. Over time the wetlands are susceptible to direct or indirect impacts. Like, climate change, land-use change, droughts, and agriculture. A major stressor is siltation. It puts on the environmental stressor of habitats in streams and rivers. Sources: Adirondack Wetlands Adirondack Wetlands Cattails on Heron Marsh - from the Boreal Life Trail (10 July 2012) Freshwater wetlands are areas of land that are covered with fresh water. Adirondack wetlands, like other freshwater wetlands, feature species adapted to life in a saturated environment. Wetlands are shallow; water depth is below six feet.

This allows growth of rooted or anchored plants, such as water lilies, and also free floating plants without attachment to the bottom, like duckweed. Wetlands represent a transition between two habitats (land and water) and are therefore some of the most biodiverse areas in the world with many land and water species. As a result, Adirondack wetlands, like other wetlands, are of major significance to scores of plant and animal species. In addition, wetlands act as a filter for pollution and excess sediment. There are four basic types of freshwater wetlands in the Adirondacks: Marsh Heron Marsh from the Heron Marsh Trail overlook (10 July 2012) Marshes are the wettest of Adirondack wetlands, varying in depth from a few inches to six feet. A marsh is a mineral-rich wetland where the dominant vegetation consists of herbaceous plants that are rooted in hydric soils, but not in peat. Because marshes are nutrient-rich from the residue of upland drainage and supplied with oxygenated, slowly-moving water, they are highly productive environments, fostering the cycles of growth and decay necessary for plant and animal life.

The open areas of Heron Marsh are considered to be marsh and can be observed from the Heron Marsh Trail , Barnum Brook Trail , Bobcat Trail , Woods and Waters Trail (floating bridge), Jenkin's Mountain Trail (overlook), and Logger's Loop Trail (near Shingle Mill Falls). Heron Marsh contains both open water, as well as wet soils that support cattails and reeds. Heron Marsh represents the interplay of natural and man-made forces. The shallow basin which holds Heron Marsh was created by the last glacier some 12,000 years ago. When the glacier retreated, the shallow depression left over filled with water from the melting ice. In the years prior to 1850, damming of the marsh outlet stream by beavers over millennia produced a nutrient-rich soil on top of the glacial sand plain. Marsh vegetation flourished along the stream banks; and the moist organic soil became home to stands of white cedar. In the 1850s, Levi Rice built a small sawmill dam on the marsh outlet. The resulting reservoir served as the water supply for the Paul Smith's Hotel until the dam was dismantled in 1920.

For the next forty years, no dam held back the normal stream flow. Once again, trees took root in the rich soil. Paul Smith's college students rebuilt the dam in 1960, reflooding the land. Heron Marsh contains wetland plants which flourish in the Adirondacks. These include floating plants, such as Yellow Pond Lily and White Water-lily . Both of these plants are anchored to the bottom by roots and have long stalks to leaves that float on the surface of the water. At lower water depths, emergents (such as Pickerelweed and Cattail) flourish. Bladderworts also thrive here; these are submersed free-floating plants featuring tiny bladders attached to the leaves, which trap and digest very tiny animals. Blue Flag Iris also grows in profusion in the shallow water of the margins of Heron Marsh. Plants which flourish on the edge of the marsh are related to rhododendrons and include Leatherleaf , Meadow Sweet, Steeplebush , and Sheep Laurel . Many species of birds can also be seen or heard around Heron Marsh.

Several different species of ducks nest on the marsh, including Ring-necked Duck , American Black Duck , Common Merganser , Wood Duck , and Mallard . Red-winged Blackbirds are commonly seen perching on snags and shrubs on the marsh. Swamp Sparrows nest among the cattails and shrubs along the margins of the marsh. American Bittern often forage for food in the wetland vegetation along the edges of the water. Great Blue Heron can also be seen on edges of the water. The transitional areas around Heron Marsh are home to a wide variety of birds, such as the Common Yellowthroat and the Black-capped Chickadee . Heron Marsh also hosts several families of beaver. There are two beaver lodges on the marsh: one on the north side of the marsh, which can be observed from the Barnum Brook Trail overlook; and one on the south side of the marsh, which can be observed from the Heron Marsh Trail . Beaver activity is evident all around Heron Marsh. North American River Otters and muskrats can be seen throughout the year. Otters feed on the fresh-water mussels and clams in the marsh.

The best time to catch sight of an otter is early morning or late afternoon. On a few occasions, white tail deer have ventured into the edges of the marsh. Snapping turtles make their home in the marsh; and painted turtles are often seen sunning on floating logs in the open water areas. Bog A bog is a nutrient-poor acidic wetland dominated by sphagnum mosses, sedges, and shrubs and evergreen trees rooted in deep peat. An example is Barnum Bog, which can be observed from the Boreal Life Trail boardwalk. Some of the margins of Heron Marsh are also considered to be bog. Barnum Bog and Barnum Brook from the Boreal Life Trail (10 July 2012) Some of the wetland-dwelling birds that can be seen on or near Heron Marsh can also be seen or heard on Barnum Bog or in the transitional areas include the Swamp Sparrow , Magnolia Warbler , and the Black-capped Chickadee . Other birds seen or heard on or near the bog include the Yellow-rumped Warbler , Yellow-bellied Flycatcher , Song Sparrow , and White-throated Sparrow .

Several species nests in the bog, including the Palm Warbler , which nests in sphagnum moss, and the Lincoln's Sparrow , which nests in shrubs on the bog. The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher also breeds in peat lands. Broad-winged Hawks can often be viewed circling the bog. The Black-backed Woodpecker and the Gray Jay have also been occasionally seen on Barnum Bog or on the edges of the bog. Like other bogs, Barnum Bog has a thick carpet of vegetation consisting of several layers of sphagnum moss and is very acidic. A number of insectivorous plants grow on Barnum Bog, including the Roundleaf Sundew and the Pitcher Plant . These plants carry on photosynthesis like other green plants, but supplement their nutrition by capturing and digesting small insects. The Pitcher Plant , for instance, has tubular leaves surrounding the base of the plant. Insects enter the mouth of the plant and are trapped by the hairs. They then drown in the leaf fluid and are digested by enzymes and bacteria. The nutrients absorbed from the insects supplement the nutrients absorbed by the roots. Bladderwort, another carnivorous plant, can also be found here.

Other plants which thrive on Barnum Bog include Buckbean , which produces produces clusters of star-like white flowers in spring and early summer. This plant, which grows up to about ten inches tall, flourishes in the wet soil of the bog and can usually be seen blooming in June. Other wetland plants that flourish on Barnum Bog include Cotton Grass and Marsh Cinquefoil . The latter is a member of the rose family and produces reddish purple flowers in late June. Several species of Cotton Grass grow on Barnum Bog; some bloom in late spring and early summer, while others bloom in late summer and fall. Barnum Bog also hosts a variety of orchids that thrive in wet soil. These include Grass Pink , which gets its name from the long, narrow, grass-like leaves. The rose-pink or pale orchid blossoms are sweet-smelling and generally bloom in late June or early July on Barnum Bog. Another bog-dwelling orchid -- Rose Pogonia -- also produces pink flowers and blooms beginning in late June. The Latin name "Pogonia" means beard -- a reference to the bearded lip on the flower.

White-fringed Orchids can also be seen blooming on Barnum Bog, usually in late June or early July. Shrubs growing on the bog include evergreen members of the heath family, including Sheep Laurel , Bog Laurel , Leatherleaf , Bog Rosemary , and Labrador Tea . Barnum Bog also hosts a number of small trees, including Tamaracks and Black Spruce . Tamaracks, also known as the Eastern Larch or American Larch, are coniferous trees which turn a golden yellow in fall before shedding their needles. The trees in the bog, as in other bogs, are small because the harsh environment causes them to grow very slowly, so a tree only a few feet high may be quite old. Fen Boardwalk over the fen on the Heron Marsh Trail (19 May 2012) A fen is a mineral-rich (alkaline) wetland dominated by sedges and grasses rooted in shallow peat, often with water movement through the peat. The wetland near the boardwalk on the Heron Marsh Trail is considered a fen. Both bogs and fens accumulate peat.

The feature that distinguishes fens from bogs is the fact that fens receive water from the surrounding watershed in inflowing streams and groundwater, while bogs receive water primarily from precipitation. Fens, therefore, reflect the chemistry of the geological formations through which these waters flow. As a result, there is much variation among fens with respect to acidity and they often do not have the extreme acid conditions associated with bogs. The plants which grow in a fen tend to be more varied than those in a bog. In contrast to bogs (where heaths are more plentiful), fens tend to be dominated by sedges. Swamp Ferns in swampland near Heron Marsh (10 July 2012) A swamp is a freshwater wetland dominated by trees rooted in hydric soils, not in peat. These are areas where woody vegetation grows in soil that, while often waterlogged, is seldom flooded by more than a few inches. Swamps may include either or both hardwood shrubs or trees and conifers. The wooded areas on the margins of Heron Marsh and Barnum Bog are swamps. Ferns and mosses are common in the swampy areas around Heron Marsh and Barnum Bog.

These areas also host shade-loving wildflowers, including Common Wood Sorrel and Goldthread . Birds commonly seen or heard in these areas include the Golden-crowned Kinglet , Winter Wren , and Nashville Warbler References: Donald D. Cox. A Naturalist's Guide to Wetland Plants. An Ecology for Eastern North America (Syracuse University Press, 2002), pp. 1-11, 64-93. John Eastman. Swamp and Bog. Trees, Shrubs, and Wildflowers of Eastern Freshwater Wetlands (Stackpole Books, 1995), p. xiv. Retrieved 10 July 2012. Paul A. Keddy. Wetland Ecology. Principles and Conservation (Cambridge University Press, 2010), pp. 17-24. Retrieved 10 July 2012. Meiyin Wu and Dennis Kalma. Wetland Plants of the Adirondacks: Herbaceous Plants and Aquatic Plants (Trafford Publishing, 2011). Retrieved 10 July 2012. USDA Forest Service. Organic Soil Wetlands.

Retrieved 19 July 2012. Types of wetlands | WWF Types of wetlands Major Wetlands Types of wetlands Almost every country in the world possesses a wetland of some description. Some are seasonally aquatic, some seasonally terrestrial. All play a vital role for humans and nature alike. How is WWF working to protect wetlands? From left to right (clockwise): 1. Asian openbills depend on wetlands to survive. Chitwan National Park, Terai Arc Landscape Project (TAL), Nepal.; 2. Various birds at a billabong. Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia.; 3. Gur River (an Amur River tributary) floodplain. Khabarovsk Territory, Siberia, Russian Federation.; 4. Rattray Marsh Conservation Area, Ontario, Canada; 5. Bird rookery. Pantanal, Brazil.; 6. Lechwe herd running accross water in Lochinvar National Park, Kafue, Zambia. © From left to right (clockwise): 1. WWF / Helena TELKÄNRANTA; 2.

WWF / Martin HARVEY; 3. WWF / Hartmut JUNGIUS; 4. Frank PARHIZGAR / WWF-Canada; 5. WWF / Y.-J. REY-MILLET; 6. WWF / Martin HARVEY; All shapes and sizes Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems that provide the world with nearly two-thirds of its fish harvest. They take many forms including marshes, estuaries, mudflats, mires, ponds, fens, pocosins, swamps, deltas, coral reefs, billabongs, lagoons, shallow seas, bogs, lakes, and floodplains. There are also human-made wetlands such as fish and shrimp ponds, farm ponds, irrigated agricultural land, salt pans, reservoirs, gravel pits, sewage farms and canals. There are many different ways of categorising wetlands, and numerous different types. Most large wetland areas are a unique mosaic of different wetland types. For example, within the The Kafue Flats are found grasslands, lagoons, marshes, swamps and reed beds.

Coastal Wetlands Coastal wetlands are found in the areas between land and open sea that are not influenced by rivers such as. shorelines, beaches, mangroves and coral reefs. A good example are the mangrove swamps found in sheltered tropical coastal areas. The partly submerged roots of mangrove trees spread out beneath the water to trap sediment and prevent it being washed out to sea. Around 70% of tropical coastlines are mangrove-lined. Some mangroves are strategically planted between land and sea to stabilise shores and to protect communities from violent storms and powerful waves. The result is an area of stillness and tranquillity where fish breed, wildlife takes refuge, and local people earn a living from occupations as diverse as charcoal burning and bee keeping. Shallow lakes and ponds These wetlands are areas of permanent or semi-permanent water with little flow. They include vernal ponds, spring pools, salt lakes and volcanic crater lakes. They are small, shallow, intermittently flooded depressions in grasslands or forests, and are often only wet in winter and early spring. Red mangroves, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia.

© WWF / Terry DOMICO Madagascar Mangroves Bogs Bogs are waterlogged peatlands in old lake basins or depressions in the landscape. Almost all water in bogs comes from rainfall. Bogs have specialised and unique flora that have evolved in their nutrient-poor and acidic conditions, including for example the carnivorous pitcher plant. As bogs are unsuitable for agriculture, forestry or development they offer an undisturbed habitat for a wide range of species, including moose, black bear, lynx, snowshoe hare and mink. In addition, bogs are used by many species of migratory birds, providing a safe habitat in which to breed, rest and feed. A particular kind of bog is found on the coastal plain of the southeasteern United States. Pocosins are evergreen shrub bogs typically found on high areas of a flat water-logged landscape. Peat bog in Fir trees forest. Alpine wetland in Wiegenalp, Hohe Tauern National Park, in the Austrian Alps.

Austria © Michèle Dépraz / WWF Northern Andes Wetlands Marshes and Swamps Also known as palustrine wetlands, marshes, swamps and fens account for almost half of all wetlands throughout the world. Marshes are one of the broadest categories of wetlands and in general harbour the greatest biological diversity. Marshes form in depressions in the landscape, as fringes around lakes, and along slow-flowing streams and rivers. Marshes are dominated by floating-leafed plants like water lillies and duckweed. Marshes slow down the rate of rainfall drainage and control its flow into rivers, lakes, and streams. Estuaries The area where rivers meet the sea and water changes from fresh to salt can offer an extremely rich mix of biodiversity. These wetlands include deltas, tidal mudflats and salt marshes. Mudflats and seagrass beds in particular provide a rich diet for many species of insects, birds, fish, turtles and other species.

Wildlife and domestic animals coexist in the Pantanal - a Great White Egret, Pink-feathered Spoonbills, a Wood Stork and a Snowy Egret feed in the marshlands alongside grazing cattle © WWF-Brazil/Zig KOCH

Question: There are four types of wetland: swamp, marsh, bog and what?
Answer: Fen