These fresh, brackish, and saltwater marshes are some of the
most productive systems in the world and are vital habitats for
a variety of species. The marshes support predominantly fresh
to brackish water vegetation consisting primarily of sawgrasses,
bullrushes, cattails, cordgrasses, and needlerushes. Large areas
of freshwater marsh, primarily sawgrass, are veined with creeks
and punctuated with hammocks. Along these creeks and waterways
are water tupelo, ogeechee gum, cypress, red maple, and ash. On
the hammocks, diamond-leaf oak, cabbage palm, black gum, bay,
and maple are common.
Estuarine organisms use the marsh habitat for a nursery ground,
breeding area, or feeding zone. Ducks, wading birds, shore birds,
and numerous predatory species are heavily dependent upon wetlands.
Furbearers such as otters, minks, and raccoons are also closely
tied to such wet environments. Alligators, turtles, snakes, frogs,
and many other reptiles and amphibians are often totally dependent
upon these habitats. The marsh vegetation is the beginning of
the food web for many higher vertebrates that feed on the multitude
of minute organisms, crustaceans, and shellfish that originate
there.
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