Basic Wetland Terminology

Carmen: 00:00:24

Welcome to Song Plants.

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My name is Carmen Porter.

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I wanted to do an episode about

wetland classification, but found

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that it is heavily complicated by

legal and regional specifications.

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There are multiple official classification

systems in use, and they differ

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enough that I've chosen not to expand

upon their multitude of variations.

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Instead, I will define some common

terms and give a basic overview.

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It can be useful when foraging,

hunting, or even just exploring

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to be able to recognize and name

different types of wetlands.

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Each provides a unique environment

hosting flora and fauna

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adapted to their conditions.

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According to Merriam Webster, a bog is

"a poorly drained, usually acid area,

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rich in accumulated plant material."

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Bogs are often peatlands.

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The peat forms as the sphagnum

mosses grow and die, forming a

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dense mat of soggy organic material.

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The growth exceeds the rate of

decomposition, leaving the growing

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substrate nutrient deprived.

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The main water source is precipitation.

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Certain plants, like honeydews (Drosera

spp.) and pitcher plants (Sarracenia

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spp.), have adapted to this environment

by attracting and digesting insects.

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Others, like black spruce (Picea

mariana), tolerate the conditions,

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but have their growth stunted.

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Bog cranberries (Vaccinium spp.), Labrador

tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) and

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cottongrass ( Eriophorum spp.) are

all examples of plants that developed

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a preference for the damp acidity.

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Seasonal water may or may not

appear on the surface, but the

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ground is always saturated.

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Fens are defined by Merriam Webster

as being "low land that is covered

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wholly or partly with water and that

usually has peaty alkaline soil."

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Fens differ from bogs in that they are fed

by multiple water sources, hence are more

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mineral rich and are often less acidic.

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Fens can be peatlands, but

due to the mineralization,

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more diverse flora can thrive.

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Though many bog species may be present,

others such as tamarack (Larix laricinia),

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willows (Salix spp.), shrub birches

(Betula spp.), boreal orchid, if you're

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lucky, (Platanthera dilatata), and

sedges (Carix spp.), thrive in fens.

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Tree growth tends to be less stunted.

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Merriam Webster describes marshes

as being "a track of soft, wet land

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usually characterized by monocotyledons,

(such as grasses or cattails)".

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Marshes are fed by multiple water

sources, allowing mineralization.

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The rate at which plant material

decomposes often exceeds that of growth.

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Therefore, an abundance of

available nutrients is released.

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Water level is at or above

the ground surface, but can

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vary throughout the season.

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They can be brackish, but both slightly

salty and freshwater marshes are

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dominated by grasses (Poaceae), sedges

(Cyperaceae), and rushes (Juncaceae).

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A diversity of regional herbaceous species

thrive, but trees tend to be absent.

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Swamps tend to flood seasonally,

but the water table remains at

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or close to the surface all year.

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They're often the overflow for

a river or other body of water.

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Their soil is usually mineral rich with

an abundance of available nutrients.

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Flood tolerant and water loving

trees and shrubs dominate.

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Some familiar species like black

spruce, tamarack, birch, and

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willow can be present but grow much

larger than those in bogs and fens.

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Poplar (Populus spp.), alder ( Alnus

spp.), and dogwood (Cornus spp.) can often

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be found as well as ferns and an abundance

of other regional herbaceous delights.

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There are a multitude of subcategories

and regional specifications that

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fall under Each of those general

terms, I enthusiastically encourage

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you to put on some waders and

explore your local wetlands.

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The biodiversity in these habitats

is astonishing and specialized.

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Also check back regularly throughout

the season, as wetlands are critical

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to the life cycles and migratory

patterns of many creatures.

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The soundscape of a healthy

wetland in the spring is unmatched.

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Thanks for listening.

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I apologize.

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It has again been a long wait

between episodes, and I deeply

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appreciate your patience and loyalty.

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Your kind words and encouragement

are fueling this project.

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This is the last of the

Waterplant Waltz series.

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If you want to check out the tune, by that

name, it's on my website, CarmenPorter.

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com, or any music streaming service.

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Stay tuned as we explore the contents of

the new tune, next episode, Solanaceae.

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Happy growing.