What is a Wetland?

There are many definitions of wetlands, and many kinds. In the most general of terms, a wetland is a natural community where water is at or covering the surface of the ground for all or part of the year. The key in this definition the term natural community, which helps to exclude temporary standing floodwaters from being designated as wetlands.

In Florida, wetlands are defined by looking at the soils, the kinds of plants that live in them, and by certain indicators defined by the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection.

Coastal Wetlands

• Mangrove Forests or Swamps

Large areas along the coast of southern Florida are covered by dence forests of mangroves. On Florida's east coast, mangroves reach north into the vicinity of St. Augustine—the northeastern limit of the black mangrove (Avicennia germinans). Mangrove swamps are found intermittently southward, through the Florida Keys, and up the West Coast of Florida to the limit of the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) in Levy County. Black mangroves are scattered around the Gulf Coast to Mexico.

Mangrove forests occur along protected tidal rivers and creeks, and in bays and estuaries.

• Saltwater Marshes

Most coastal wetlands in the United States and many of the coastal wetlands in Florida are salt marshes. Salt marshes are marked by the preponderance of various grass-like plants--cordgrass (Spartlna alterniflora and others) and rushea (Juncus romerianus). Vast areas of Florida’s big bend coastal areas are covered by salt marsh. Salt marshes prosper to the north of tbe mangrove forests.

Saltwater marshes are found inside lagoons formed by barrier ialands, such as near St. Auguatine, and along low-energy beaches such as the Florida Big Bend.

• Forested fresh water swamps

Forested wetlands line the floodplains of rivers and streams throughout Florida, and ring its lakes. Noticeable trees in a forested fresh water wetland include the bald or pond cypress (Taxodium distichium or Taxodium asecndens), water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica), and the red maple, (Acer rubrum). Other plants include aquatic plants such as water (Nymphae sp.), arrowroot (Thalia sp.), understory plants and shrubs such as the cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) and willows (Salix), and various ferns.

The floodplain along the Apalachicola River in North Florida, and Big Cypress Swamp in South Florida west of the Everglades are examples of forested wetlands. Cypress domes are common throughout Florida.

• Fresh water marshes

Fresh water marshes are found in low areas throughout Florida. They may include open water, and are covered with various grasses and aquatic plants. Typical plants in a fresh water marsh include sawgrass (Cladium jamaicens) in South Florida, spike rush (Elecharis cellulosa), panic grass (Panicum lacustre), water lily (Nymphaea sp.), and pond weed (Potamogeton sp.).

Thc most famous of Florida’s fresh water marshes is the vast Everglades in South Florida.

We tend to value objects in nature in direct relation to what we think those objects can "do" for us. Early explorers in Florida spoke of worthless, fever-ridden swamps, fit only for mosquitoes, snakes and alligators. The history of Florida is one of draining its "worthless" swamps for agriculture and development. Since statehood, Florida has lost half--nearly ten million acres --of its wetlands.

Only late in this century, as Florida wetlands were vanishing at an alarming rate, did Floridians begin to realize that they truly can "do" something for them.

Some of these free "services" include:

o Water qualily and water conservation - Wetlands help to filter damaging nutrients and other pollutants from the water that passes through them. They store floodwaters and can help recharge ground water.

o Flood and storm protection - Wetlands are streamside buffers against the eroding fury of floods. Along the coast, they stabilize shorelines and protect homes and property from storm surge and flooding.

o Habitat for birds and other wildlife - Ducks, geese, and other migratory birds; endangered species (including the American eagle, the Florida panther, and the snail kite); and the survival of many commercial species of fish and shellfish—such as shrimp and crabs--depend upon healthy fresh water and coastal wetland systems.

o Aesthetics - Some of Florida's most beautiful and striking vistas are across wetlands--in the Everglades, or along Florida’s long coastline.

The economic value of wetlands is indisputable. Acre-for-acre, wetlands are more productive than many agricultural lands. Florida's sports and commercial fisheries are dependent upon healthy wetland ecosystems. Wetlands bring tourism dollars from hunters, fishermen, campers, and boaters—as well as from those who merely want to look at, photograph, or paint them.