H4.3 Swamp

A swamp can be either a mineral wetland or a peatland characterized by an open tree cover of Balsam Fir, Black Spruce, Red Maple and Larch, as well as numerous shrubs, herbs and some mosses. The waters are rich in nutrients, due to seepage slopes or springs supplying water from the surrounding higher ground. There is usually a drainage outlet. If peat is present, it is mainly comprised of well-decomposed wood, underlain at times by sedge peat. In addition, hummocks are often formed from the decomposition of mosses and herbaceous plants. These provide a drier site on which both coniferous and deciduous trees can become established.

Shrub swamps are dominated by plants such as Rhodora and alders and are either pernanantly or seasonally flooded. Wooded swamps are characterized by coniferous or deciduous trees and are only seasonally flooded. Swamps are scattered throughout Nova Scotia, but many have been drained or filled through human activity.

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Additional Keywords:
Carex spp., Sphagnum spp., Marchantia polymorpha, Mnium punctatum, Pallavicinia lyellii, Pellia epiphylla, Philonotis fontans, Scapania nemerosa, Sensitive Fern, bulrushes, rushes, manna grasses, Cinnamon Fern, Royal Fern, Meadow-rue, Blue-joint Grass, Purple Avens, Aster spp., orchids, mosses, Speckled Alder, Pussy-willow, Myrica gale, brambles, Gooseberry, Meadowsweet, Witherod, Swamp Sparrow, Common Yellowthroat, Tree Swallows, Chimney Swifts, Common Nighthawks, Barn Swallows

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