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Marshes. What are marshes, and are there different types?. www.fws.gov/.../Fall04/images/marsh.gif. What is a marsh?. A marsh is a “low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water 1 ” Two main types of marshlands: Fresh Water Marsh
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Marshes What are marshes, and are there different types? www.fws.gov/.../Fall04/images/marsh.gif
What is a marsh? • A marsh is a “low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water1” • Two main types of marshlands: • Fresh Water Marsh • Brackish / Saltwater Marsh
Fresh Water Marsh • Water in wetland is fresh, no salt present • Found near rivers and lakes • Water is usually from one to six feet deep • Rich in minerals • High species diversity • All information found from 4 www.arbovirus.health.nsw.gov.au/.../marsh.jpg
Estuary • Area between land and sea2 • Water is slightly salty (brackish) • More salty than a lake • Less salty than the ocean • Salinity is often variable • Tides (high and low) • Amount of river flow http://www.lumcon.edu/education/studentdatabase/images/estuary.jpg
Brackish / Salt Marsh • Found in estuaries and along the coast • Low number of plant and animal species (low diversity) • Although few species, high weight (biomass) of animals and plants • Very productive system www.britannica.com
Animal Diversity in Marshes • Many kinds of animals live in marshes e.g.
Plant Diversity in Marshes • Many kinds of plants grow in marshes too
References 1wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn 2http://www.wetlandsinstitute.org/education/teacher/Marsh_Critters_Discovery.pdf 3 http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/nwep7h.htm 4http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/experience/Brackish%20Marsh.pdf