Which phrase describes one Type of freshwater Wetland?

Which phrase describes one Type of freshwater Wetland?

1. Small streams in wetlands that transform into bigger streams 
2. Reservoirs at the end of connected rivers created by the dams 
3. Freshwater marshes 
4. Areas of high elevation that generally feed into the river systems 

Answer: Option 3: Freshwater Marshes is the correct answer. 

Even small streams are also responsible for creating a freshwater wetland as the freshwater wetland is generally not connected to the sea. You can find a wide range of invertebrates, crustaceans, fish, and frogs in the lakes and streams. Even waterfowl are greatly benefited by the freshwater wetlands. 

So, let's cover the contribution of the marsh towards the freshwater wetland and how these are well-connected to each other. You will also explore some interesting information about wetland science. 

ABOUT MARSHES

Freshwater wetlands are generally divided into four primary groups. 

• Ponds 
• Marshes 
• Swamps 
• Peat Lowlands 

Among them, the marsh contributes to forming the wetlands and helps the species survive their instincts. 

A most important example of a freshwater wetland is a marsh, which is distinguished by the presence of standing, shallow water. 

It is often dominated by herbaceous plants like grasses, sedges, and rushes and is frequently found close to the edges of lakes, ponds, or rivers. Depending on how much water is available in the area, marshes can either be permanent or seasonal.

Typically, a marsh is found next to a stream, lake, or other moving water.

Variants of Marshes

Tidal Marshes 

Marshes of both saltwater and freshwater serve many important characteristics: 

• They provide shelter and breeding areas for migrating water birds, delay shoreline erosion, and absorb extra nutrients that would otherwise lower the oxygen content of the sea and harm species.
• Several regions, like Gulf Coast in the U.S., for example, benefit from tidal marshes. It helps to protect the communities and people of Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida from natural calamities such as tornadoes, typhoons, and hurricanes. As these areas are extremely sensitive and natural disaster-prone areas, marshes help to reduce the percentage of these disasters. 
• Although tidal marshes cannot stop hurricanes due to their existence, the storm's progress can slow down, and the wetland absorbs the entire surging water from the Gulf of Mexico. 

Tidal Salt Marshes

• Tidal salt marshes are basically a part of tidal marshes. Tidal salt marshes create a grassy firing near river mouths, bays, and beaches shielded from the open ocean. 
• The marsh receives salty water from ocean tides, which also cause the water level to fluctuate twice daily. At high tide, the marsh is deeper; at low tide, it is shallower.
• Wetland plants like saw grass and pickle weed can tolerate fluctuating tidal waters. Therefore, these plants are saltier than other wetland plants. They even create wetland bushes. 
• Tidal salt marshes support a variety of bird species, as all wetlands do. Fish, insects, and crab species in the marsh are the main food sources for small birds like terns. 
• Tidal salt marshes support even huge raptors like Osprey.

Tidal Fresh Water Marshes

• Tidal freshwater marshes are generally spread across the wetland more than salt marshes. 
• But these marshes get affected by the fluctuations of tidal water and are close enough to the coast—the water level changes with the tides twice daily, just like in salt marshes.
• Sedges, popularly known as herbaceous plants, mostly dominate the ecosystem of marsh wetlands. Chestnut and papyrus are the prime examples of sedges. 

Inland Marshes 

Inland marshes are the most popular marsh in fringes of lakes and rivers where the aquifer is very high, which is the surface level of underground water. 

• They range in size from the enormous, flooded grasslands of the Florida Everglades to the bowl-shaped depressions known as prairie potholes.
• The depth of the marshes completely depends on the water level in wetlands. For example, wet meadows do not get stagnant water for most of the time in a year. Also, there is no aquatic vegetation there. Only when the meadow is flooded annually or twice a year do plants blossom and set seed.
• Insects, several species, especially butterflies, love the wet meadows; they choose these meadows to flourish.

There are many more aquatic freshwater wetlands. The entire year, a thin layer of water covers the Everglades, the biggest freshwater marsh in the United States. The Everglades are a broad, slowly flowing river that emerges from Lake Okeechobee.

The Connection between People and Marshes and Its Consequences

According to several bio researchers:

"Human activities are becoming threats to the marsh ecosystems."

Massive constructions and developments in U.S. and Gulf Coast are responsible for decreasing the marsh habitats. The water level of the Everglades has also decreased due to extreme developments in South Florida. 

Even due to habitat loss, animals like the Florida panther are in danger of extinction.

Doana National Park had a great marsh existence once upon a time. But the marshes almost lost their existence due to several developments and human activities. The Guadiamar River is facing the same issues. 

The rivers are being diverted and rerouted to increase agricultural productivity, salt mining, and tourism facilities. As a result, the existence of marshes is drastically reducing due to the ill effects. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1) How do you define marsh?

Marsh is a specific type of ecosystem. It is generally found in wetlands created by small streams. 

2) Is there any commercial importance gained from a marsh?

Wild rice is a true example of a commercial product. It is unquestionably the most significant marsh plant and grain source for the entire planet.

3) Is marsh really helpful in avoiding natural disasters?

You cannot deny the benefit of tidal marshes in decreasing the percentage of disasters. It helps to save the U.S. coastal regions, especially Florida, Gulf Coast, Texas, etc. 

4) What is the prime example of a marsh?

Saw Grass is a very common marsh example. It generally comes in a thick form and has saw-like edges. This marsh grass grows 10-15ft high. The saw grass is also known as the Everglades of Florida.