Final answer:
Wetlands, including swamps and marshes, are environments with soil saturated with water. Swamps feature woody vegetation and serve as habitats for diverse fauna, while marshes have non-woody plants and are important for waterfowl and migratory birds, as well as for filtering pollutants and controlling floods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Types of Wetlands: Swamps and Marshes
Wetlands are important ecosystems where the soil is at least periodically saturated with water. Two primary types of wetlands are swamps and marshes, each with distinct characteristics.
Swamps
Swamps are characterized by their woody plants like trees and shrubs and have slow water flow. They are typically found in low-lying areas and can be either freshwater or saltwater environments. The saturated soil promotes a diverse ecosystem, with animals such as amphibians, reptiles, birds, and insects thriving in this habitat.
Marshes
Marshes differ from swamps as they are dominated by non-woody plants such as grasses, rushes, and reeds. They have a similar slow water flow as swamps and serve as a habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, including waterfowl and migratory birds. Marshes can be found at the edges of lakes and streams, where they serve as a buffer by filtering pollutants and providing flood control.