Types of Swamps

The word swamp is often used to describe any parcel of wetland. But true swamps have trees. Marsh is the term more properly applied to areas dominated by grasses, sedges, reeds and herbaceous plants. Baldcypress is a denizen of several of the many kinds of true swamps, particularly those that have long periods of standing freshwater. Here is how Ron Larson of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service breaks down swamps as a first step toward appreciating these marvelous ecosystems.

Freshwater Swamps

Characterized by fresh water, even though some freshwater swamps may be located in coastal areas.

Estuaries

Occur next to oceans and are dominated by mangroves— one of the few trees that can tolerate salt water.

Strands

Intermediate between depression swamps and river swamps. Fed mostly by rainfall, they have flowing water over a broad area rather than in a narrow channel.

Shrub Bogs

Dominated by dense shrubs but with some trees like pond cypress or bay trees.

Depression Swamps

Low areas flooded by rain, runoff, and sometimes streams.

River Swamps

Found along rivers and creeks. Some are alluvial swamps, classic hardwood bottoms rich in huge oaks, sycamores and other trees. Others, along sluggish streams, are called blackwater swamps. Baldcypress is common in both types.

Basin Swamps

Large, sandy depressions near the coast with restricted outlets. Sphagnum moss abundant, sometimes with floating islands of peat, complete with small trees. Pond cypress, swamp tupelo, and swampbay dominate.