Difference between revisions of "Marsh" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Florida freshwater marshes usgov image.jpg|thumb|right|Freshwater marsh in Florida]]
 
[[Image:Florida freshwater marshes usgov image.jpg|thumb|right|Freshwater marsh in Florida]]
  
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In [[geography]], a '''marsh''', or '''morass''', is a type of [[wetland]] which is subject to frequent or continuous [[inundation]].<ref>[http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/types/marsh.html U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Characterization of marshes]</ref>  Typically a marsh features [[Poaceae|grass]]es, [[Juncaceae|rush]]es, [[Phragmites|reeds]], [[typha]]s, [[Cyperales|sedge]]s, and other herbaceous [[plant]]s (possibly with low-growing woody plants) in a context of shallow [[water]]. A marsh is different from a [[swamp]], which has a greater proportion of open water surface, and is generally deeper than a marsh. In North America, the term swamp is used for [[wetland]] dominated by trees rather than grasses and low [[herb]]s.
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In [[geography]], a '''marsh''' is a type of [[wetland]], featuring [[Poaceae|grass]]es, [[Juncaceae|rush]]es, [[reed (plant)|reed]]s, [[typha]]s, [[Cyperales|sedge]]s, and other herbaceous [[plant]]s (possibly with low-growing woody plants) in a context of shallow [[water]]. A marsh is different from a [[swamp]], which has a greater proportion of open water surface, and is generally deeper than a marsh. In the USA, the term swamp is used for wetland dominated by trees rather than grasses and low herbs.  
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In North America, swamps are usually regarded as wetlands dominated by [[tree]]s and woody bushes rather than [[grass]]es and low herbs, while a [[marsh]] in North America is a wetland dominated by soft-stemmed vegetation, rather than woody vegetation (EPA 2004; NSC 2005). However, this distinction does not necessarily apply in other areas; for instance, in [[Africa]] swamps may be dominated by [[papyrus]].
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Elsewhere, a swamp is distinguished from a marsh by being a wetland with more open water surface and deeper water than a marsh.
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The water of a marsh can be [[fresh water|fresh]], [[brackish]] or [[salinity|saline]]. Coastal marshes may be associated with [[Estuary|estuaries]] and along waterways between [[coast]]al [[barrier island]]s and the inner coast. The estuarine marsh, or '''[[tidal marsh]]''', is often based on soils consisting of sandy bottoms or [[bay mud]]s. An example is the [[Tantramar Marsh]] of eastern [[Canada]].
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A salt marsh is a type of marsh that is a transitional zone between land and salty or brackish water (e.g., sloughs, bays, estuaries). It is dominated by halophytic (salt tolerant) herbaceous plants. Historically, salt marshes have sometimes been treated as "wastelands", along with other wetlands. We now know that salt marshes are one of the most biologically productive habitats on the planet, rivaling tropical rainforests.
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A '''tidal marsh''' is a type of [[marsh]] that is found along [[Coast|coasts]] and [[Estuary|estuaries]] of which the flooding characteristics are determined by the [[tide|tidal movement ]] of the adjacent [[estuary]], [[sea]] or [[ocean]] <ref>[http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/types/marsh.html#tidal] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Tidal marshes</ref>. According to the [[salinity]] of the flooding water,  freshwater, brackish and [[Salt marsh|saline]] tidal marshes are distinguished.
  
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The water of a marsh can be [[fresh water|fresh]], [[brackish]] or [[salinity|saline]]. Coastal marshes may be associated with [[Estuary|estuaries]] and along waterways between coastal [[barrier island]]s and the inner coast. The estuarine marsh, or '''tidemarsh''', is often based on soils consisting of sandy bottoms or [[bay mud]]s. An example is the [[Tantramar Marsh]] of eastern Canada.
 
  
 
Below water decomposition processes often produce [[marsh gas]], which may through [[self-ignition]] manifest as [[Will o' the wisp]]s (aka. Jack-a-lanterns or spirites).
 
Below water decomposition processes often produce [[marsh gas]], which may through [[self-ignition]] manifest as [[Will o' the wisp]]s (aka. Jack-a-lanterns or spirites).
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[[Constructed wetland]]s featuring surface-flow design are usually in the form of a marsh.
 
[[Constructed wetland]]s featuring surface-flow design are usually in the form of a marsh.
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==Definition and geology==
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A marsh is a type of [[wetland]]. A wetland is a transitional environment between permanently aquatic and terrestrial environments that shares characteristics of both environments and where [[water]], which covers the [[soil]] or is near the surface for substantial parts of the year, is the key factor in determining the nature of the [[ecosystem]] and soil. Although wetlands have aspects similar to both wet and and dry environments, they cannot be classified unambiguously as either aquatic or terrestrial (Barbier et al. 1997). In the [[United States]], the four general categories of wetlands, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, are [[marsh]]es, swamps, [[bog]]s, and [[fen]]s (EPA 2004).
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EPA 2006. "Marshes are defined as wetlands frequently or continually inundated with water, characterized by emergent soft-stemmed vegetation adapted to saturated soil conditions."
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The National Wetlands Research Center of the U.S. Geological Survey defines swamps as "" (NWRC 2007).
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The Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture defines wetlands as "" (NRCS 2007).
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The National Safety Council defines swamps as "" (NSC 2005).
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However, although in North America swamps are usually regarded as including a large amount of woody vegetation (EPA 2004; NSC 2005; NRCS 2007), this definition is not universal.
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Marshes are generally characterized by very slow-moving waters.  They are usually associated with adjacent [[river]]s or [[lake]]s. (ocean)
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== Images ==
 
== Images ==
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==See also==
 
==See also==
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*[[Biodiversity Action Plan]]
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{|
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*[[Fen]]
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|-valign=top
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*[[Salt marsh]]
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|
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*[[Bog]]
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* [[Aquatic plant]]
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*[[Swamp]]
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* [[Bayou]]
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*[[Mesopotamian Marshes]]
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* [[Biodiversity Action Plan]]
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* [[Bog]]
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* [[Fen]]
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| width=40 |
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|
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* [[Mesopotamian Marshes]]
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* [[Salt marsh]]
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* [[Swamp]]
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*[[Will-o'-the-wisp]]
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|}
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==References==
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* Barbier, E. B., M. Mike Acreman, and D. Knowler. 1997. ''Economic Valuation of Wetlands: A Guide for Policy Makers and Planners''. Gland, Switzerland: Ramsar Convention Bureau. ISBN 294007321X.
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* Environmental Protection Agency. 2006. [http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/types/marsh.html Marshes]. ''U.S. Environmental Protection Agency''. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
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* Environmental Protection Agency. 2006b. [http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/what/definitions.html Wetlands definitions]. ''U.S. Environmental Protection Agency''. November 15, 2007.
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* Environmental Protection Agency. 2004. [http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/pdf/overview.pdf Wetlands overview]. ''U.S. Environmental Protection Agency'' EPA 843-F-04-011a (December 2004). Retrieved November 15, 2007.
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* National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC), United States Geological Survey. 2007. [http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/fringe/glossary.html Swamp]. ''NWRC USGS''. Retrieved November 15, 2007. 
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* National Safety Council (NSC). 2005. [http://www.nsc.org/ehc/glossar2.htm Swamp]. ''Environmental Health Center, National Safety Council. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
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* Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), United States Department of Agriculture. 2007. [http://soils.usda.gov/technical/handbook/contents/part629.html National Soil Survey Handbook: Glossary Of landform and geologic terms (Part 629)]. ''NRCS USDA''. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
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==External links==
 
==External links==
 
* [http://www.bcgov.net/bftlib/marshes.htm Marshes of the Lowcountry (South Carolina) — Beaufort County Library]
 
* [http://www.bcgov.net/bftlib/marshes.htm Marshes of the Lowcountry (South Carolina) — Beaufort County Library]
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[[Category:Life sciences]]
 
[[Category:Life sciences]]
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{{credit|132450210}}
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{{credit|Marsh|167841793|Salt_marsh|171675774|Tidal_marsh|166769047}}

Revision as of 20:51, 15 November 2007

Freshwater marsh in Florida

In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland which is subject to frequent or continuous inundation.[1] Typically a marsh features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, and other herbaceous plants (possibly with low-growing woody plants) in a context of shallow water. A marsh is different from a swamp, which has a greater proportion of open water surface, and is generally deeper than a marsh. In North America, the term swamp is used for wetland dominated by trees rather than grasses and low herbs.


In North America, swamps are usually regarded as wetlands dominated by trees and woody bushes rather than grasses and low herbs, while a marsh in North America is a wetland dominated by soft-stemmed vegetation, rather than woody vegetation (EPA 2004; NSC 2005). However, this distinction does not necessarily apply in other areas; for instance, in Africa swamps may be dominated by papyrus.

Elsewhere, a swamp is distinguished from a marsh by being a wetland with more open water surface and deeper water than a marsh.



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. The estuarine marsh, or tidal marsh, is often based on soils consisting of sandy bottoms or bay muds. An example is the Tantramar Marsh of eastern Canada.

A salt marsh is a type of marsh that is a transitional zone between land and salty or brackish water (e.g., sloughs, bays, estuaries). It is dominated by halophytic (salt tolerant) herbaceous plants. Historically, salt marshes have sometimes been treated as "wastelands", along with other wetlands. We now know that salt marshes are one of the most biologically productive habitats on the planet, rivaling tropical rainforests.

A tidal marsh is a type of marsh that is found along coasts and estuaries of which the flooding characteristics are determined by the tidal movement of the adjacent estuary, sea or ocean [2]. According to the salinity of the flooding water, freshwater, brackish and saline tidal marshes are distinguished.


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 habitats, 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.


Definition and geology

A marsh is a type of wetland. A wetland is a transitional environment between permanently aquatic and terrestrial environments that shares characteristics of both environments and where water, which covers the soil or is near the surface for substantial parts of the year, is the key factor in determining the nature of the ecosystem and soil. Although wetlands have aspects similar to both wet and and dry environments, they cannot be classified unambiguously as either aquatic or terrestrial (Barbier et al. 1997). In the United States, the four general categories of wetlands, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, are marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens (EPA 2004).

EPA 2006. "Marshes are defined as wetlands frequently or continually inundated with water, characterized by emergent soft-stemmed vegetation adapted to saturated soil conditions."

The National Wetlands Research Center of the U.S. Geological Survey defines swamps as "" (NWRC 2007).

The Natural Resources Conservation Service of the United States Department of Agriculture defines wetlands as "" (NRCS 2007).

The National Safety Council defines swamps as "" (NSC 2005).

However, although in North America swamps are usually regarded as including a large amount of woody vegetation (EPA 2004; NSC 2005; NRCS 2007), this definition is not universal.

Marshes are generally characterized by very slow-moving waters. They are usually associated with adjacent rivers or lakes. (ocean)


Images

  • Marsh in Point Pelee, Ontario, Canada

  • Marsh in Long Point, Ontario, Canada

See also

  • Aquatic plant
  • Bayou
  • Biodiversity Action Plan
  • Bog
  • Fen

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Barbier, E. B., M. Mike Acreman, and D. Knowler. 1997. Economic Valuation of Wetlands: A Guide for Policy Makers and Planners. Gland, Switzerland: Ramsar Convention Bureau. ISBN 294007321X.
  • Environmental Protection Agency. 2006. Marshes. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
  • Environmental Protection Agency. 2006b. Wetlands definitions. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. November 15, 2007.
  • Environmental Protection Agency. 2004. Wetlands overview. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA 843-F-04-011a (December 2004). Retrieved November 15, 2007.
  • National Wetlands Research Center (NWRC), United States Geological Survey. 2007. Swamp. NWRC USGS. Retrieved November 15, 2007.
  • National Safety Council (NSC). 2005. Swamp. Environmental Health Center, National Safety Council. Retrieved November 15, 2007.

External links

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  1. ↑ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Characterization of marshes
  2. ↑ [1] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Tidal marshes
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