Marsh 169208 224723547 2008-07-10T03:30:42Z 66.229.231.168 {{otheruses4|marsh, a type of wetland|other uses of the word marsh|Marsh (disambiguation)}} [[Image:Florida freshwater marshes usgov image.jpg|thumb|right|Freshwater marsh in Florida]] <!-- This article is not cited. Before adding new text, please try to cite it! --> 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. 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]]. 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). Marshes are critically important wildlife [[habitat (ecology)|habitats]], often serving as breeding grounds for a wide variety of [[animal]] life. [[Constructed wetland]]s featuring surface-flow design are usually in the form of a marsh. == Images == <gallery> Image:Pt_Pelee_Marsh_Boardwalk.jpg|Marsh in [[Point Pelee National Park|Point Pelee]], Ontario, Canada Image:Long Point Marshes 2.jpg|Marsh in [[Long Point]], Ontario, Canada </gallery> ==See also== {{commons}} {| |-valign=top | * [[Aquatic plant]] * [[Bayou]] * [[Biodiversity Action Plan]] * [[Bog]] * [[Fen]] | width=40 | | * [[Mesopotamian Marshes]] * [[Salt marsh]] * [[Swamp]] *[[Will-o'-the-wisp]] |} ==Reference line notes== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.bcgov.net/bftlib/marshes.htm Marshes of the Lowcountry (South Carolina) -- Beaufort County Library] * [http://www.esterosdelibera.com/ '''General Information of Ibera Marshes'''] (in English and Spanish) [[Category:Pedology]] [[Category:Marshes| ]] [[ar:أهوار]] [[bg:Блато]] [[ca:Aiguamoll]] [[da:Marsk]] [[de:Marsch (Schwemmland)]] [[es:Marisma]] [[fa:مانداب]] [[fr:Marais]] [[fy:Sompe]] [[io:Marsho]] [[is:Mýri]] [[he:אדמת ביצה]] [[hu:Mocsár]] [[nl:Moeras]] [[ja:沼]] [[no:Marsk]] [[nrm:Mathais]] [[ug:سازلىق]] [[pl:Bagno]] [[pt:Marisma]] [[ru:Марши]] [[sv:Kärr]] [[tr:Bataklık]]