What is a Wetland?

Over the last 150 years, many of our wetlands have been eliminated from natural landscapes, but recently, we have come to realize the importance of these essential habitats.  

Wetlands have standing water at, near, or above the soil surface for part or all of the year. They provide many valuable ecosystem services, such as filtering out sediments and pollutants to improve water quality; acting like giant sponges to reduce flooding; helping control erosion along rivers and lakes; providing food, water, and shelter for wildlife; and offering beautiful areas to enjoy nature. 

There are four different types of wetlands in the Upper Thames River Watershed: 

Bogs 

  • Bogs are very old wetlands taking centuries to form and are more common in Northern Ontario. 
  • Bogs remain wet all year and develop where drainage is impeded (such as underlying bedrock). 
  • Except for rainfall, little water moves in or out of bogs. 
  • Bogs are dominated by sphagnum moss. 
  • The environment is very acidic and low in nutrients allowing only specialized plants to exist. 

Fens 

  • The organic substrate in fens is made up of decayed sedges and grasses. 
  • Water slowly moves through the soils, bringing in nutrients and flushing out acidity.  
  • Fens are less stagnant, less acidic, and more nutrient rich than bogs. 

Swamps  

  • Swamps are dominated by trees and shrubs. 
  • Swamps are found where the soils are poorly drained or near floodplains. 
  • The soils are saturated for part of the year but are often dry in the summer.  
  • Swamps play an important role in storing water so that it can be released later in the season, and are essential in reducing flooding. 

Marshes 

  • Marshes receive both surface and ground water and are often found on the edges of ponds, lakes, and rivers. 
  • Marshes are dominated by herbaceous plants, such as sedges, rushes, and cattails, and remain wet throughout the entire year. 
  • Marshes are very nutrient rich with a large diversity of plants and animals. 
  • Marshes are one of the most productive ecosystems on earth with an extensive food chain.  

 

If you would like to construct a wetland or are looking for help with identifying the type of wetland on your property, please contact: Brenda Gallagher, Forestry Technician.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!