Marshes, Swamps, and Bogs: All Are Wetlands

Marshes, swamps, and bogs are all types of wetlands—lands saturated by water long enough to support aquatic plants and hydric soils. They differ by **water source, vegetation, and chemistry**.

🌿 The Wetland Trinity

🌊 Bonus: The Fourth Wetland — Fen

• Fen: Groundwater-fed (minerotrophic); **alkaline/neutral**; sedges, grasses, brown mosses. **Not a bog.** Often transitions to bog if cut off from groundwater.

🌍 Why Wetlands Matter (Ecosystem Services)

• Water purification: Remove 60–90% N, P, sediments, metals.
• Flood control: 1 acre wetland = 1–1.5M gal flood storage.
• Carbon storage: Peatlands = 30% soil carbon on 3% land.
• Biodiversity: 40% species rely on wetlands; critical for amphibians, birds, fish.
• Climate buffer: Cool local temps; stabilize shorelines.

📉 Global Loss

**87% of wetlands lost since 1700** (Ramsar). **35% since 1970.** Main drivers: drainage for agriculture, urbanization, pollution, climate change.

🛡️ Protection

• Ramsar Convention (1971): 172 parties; 2,500+ sites (250M ha).
• US Clean Water Act (Section 404): Regulates dredge/fill (jurisdiction contested).
• Restoration: Re-wetting peatlands, reconnecting floodplains, living shorelines.

Marsh, swamp, bog, fen — **all wetlands, all essential, all vanishing.** Knowing the difference is the first step to saving them.