Swamps tend to get a bad rap in movies and TV. One of the saddest scenes in the classic movie Never Ending Story happened in a swamp. Who can forget Atreju losing his beloved horse Artax in the Swamp of Sadness? Swamps are also featured in many horror movies.
It’s easy to see why swamps are always featured in a negative light. They’re damp and infested with mosquitoes. Its muddy ground can pull you down and it does stink too. They are also full of life and tranquility.
One can argue that a swamp’s bad rep is due to people not understanding what it is and its importance in the ecosystem. This article hopes to address this little injustice.
Understanding This Wetland
A swamp is a type of wetland. The EPA defines wetlands as an area wherein water covers the soil. These lands can have water near the surface of the soil throughout the year or only for various periods.
Wetlands have different categories. The one we’re most familiar with is the estuarine wetland. Lagoons and swamps are examples of this kind of wetland. An estuarine wetland has limited access to the ocean. The salinity of the water is often tempered by a mix of freshwater. An estuarine wetland is always enclosed by land.
A swamp has these unique features as well. Dictionaries define swamps as water-filled land. There’s a distinct transition between land and water in swampland. You can see pockets of land in swamps. It also has submerged areas.
You can find swamps in almost every continent on Earth. This wetland also exists in various climates. It also comes in different sizes. A swamp can be as small or as large as a lake. They’re also full of trees. It’s why swamps are often classified based on the trees that grow there. For example, there are hardwood swamps in Michigan.
Various Classifications and Types of Swamps
Swamps are usually fed by inputs of surface water. The type of water in the floodplain determines the kind of swamp. There are a lot of conflicting ideas about swamps. But most experts agree that there are two kinds. You have the freshwater swamps and saltwater swamps.
· Freshwater Swamps
Swamps that form around streams and lakes are now referred to as freshwater swamps. They’re often found inland. Their water levels are usually affected by rain and seasonal floods.
Freshwater swamps have a healthy and vibrant ecosystem. Cypress grows well in this type of environment. Various air plants, ferns, and vines are also abundant in swamps. So are swamp lilies and cinnamon fern. Duckweed also runs riot in freshwater swamps.
Animals like the American alligator and pygmy sunfish thrive in this area. You can also find a variety of snakes, insects, and birds.
The biodiversity of freshwater swamps played a part in the development of civilization. The “Fertile Crescent” is the birthplace of civilization. It’s also full of freshwater swamps. Its rich plains made it ideal for agriculture. Meanwhile, its link to the ocean helps foster trade and communication.
· Saltwater Swamps
Saltwater swamps often develop in tropical coastal areas. They’re formed when flats of sand and mud are then covered by seawater. The water often comes in during the high tide. The salinity of the water is perfect for mangroves. It’s why these trees are often found on coastlines. The thin roots of mangrove trees have no problems latching to the sand and various sediments. These roots even add to soil growth.
There’s plenty of animal and marine life in saltwater swamps. Each animal plays a role in maintaining the swamp’s rich biodiversity. Birds living in salty marshes help make the soil richer with their droppings. The mangroves and other trees grow lusher because of the natural fertilizer. Their dropping leaves provide sustenance to small marine creatures.
Saltwater swamps also act as nurseries for many fishes, like the hammerhead shark. The roots of the mangrove provide protection for the sharks and their eggs. The shark hatchlings won’t lack food either. They stay in swamps until they’ve grown. They then head to the open ocean to begin the next stage of their life.
Freshwater and saltwater swamps are also classified into three categories. They are forested, mangrove, and shrubs.
- Forested Swamps: They’re found in the northeastern and southeastern United States. They receive fresh flood water from streams and rivers. You can often find a lot of deciduous trees growing in these swamps. Hence the name. The bald cypress, red maple, and swamp white oak are some examples of trees that thrive in forested swamps.
Forested swamps play a vital role in watersheds. They reduce the risk of flooding by a large degree. They also help contain flooding to areas downstream.
- Mangrove Swamps: These are saltwater swamps found along the coast. This wetland is always covered with trees and shrubs that tolerate high-saline waters. Plants that tolerate brackish waters also grow in mangrove swamps.
- Shrub Swamps: They are almost the same as forested swamps. But instead of tall trees, shrubs dominate the area. You can find shrubs like the swamp rose and buttonbush growing in wild abandon.
More Than They Seem
There’s more to swamps than their scary and dank reputation. Florida is teeming with amazing swamps. One of the best ways to explore them is through Swamp Fever Airboat Adventures. Our company is one of the best airboat tour operators in the Sunshine State. We specialize in fun and educational trips through the Everglades. We offer hour-long group and family tours. Join us and see our famous alligators. You’re in good hands with our Captains. They are Florida’s best and most experienced airboat operators. Want to book a tour? You can do it here. You can also ring us at 352-643-0708.
