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]]