Inland Wetlands
Inlands wetlands come in many forms and can be freshwater, brackish or saline. This page describes the features of different inland wetland types.
Inland wetlands are covered temporarily or permanently by fresh, brackish or saltwater. They provide a habitat for a number of plant and animal species such as birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.
During periods of drought, many inland wetlands stay dry for years. When heavier rainfall occurs, these wetlands fill up quickly again. Water means food is available once again. Birds will travel vast distances to return to these areas to breed.
Freshwater WetlandsFreshwater MarshesPeatlandsFreshwater SwampsRiverine WetlandsOpen WaterFreshwater Wetlands
Freshwater Wetlands are ecosystems that are affected by permanent or temporary inundation. They play a crucial role in the regulation of water flow water quality to whole catchments, are key habitat for fauna (including migratory species) and provide refuge for fauna during droughts.
Freshwater Marshes
Freshwater marshes
are characterized by
periodic or permanent shallow water, little
or no peat deposition, and mineral soils.
They typically derive most of their water
from surface waters, including floodwater
and runoff, but do receive ground water
inputsPeatlands
Peatlands are wetlands with a thick water-logged organic soil layer (peat) made up of dead and decaying plant material. Peatlands include moors, bogs, mires, peat swamp forests
Freshwater Swamps
Freshwater Swamps forests, or flooded forests, are forests which are inundated with freshwater, either permanently or seasonally. They normally occur along the lower reaches of rivers and around freshwater lakes. Freshwater swamp forests are found in a range of climate zones, from boreal through temperate and subtropical to tropical.Riverine Wetlands
Riverine wetland is defined as that area th at is adjacent to a stream or river with perennial flow, is underlain w ith hydric soils developed in fluvial conditions, derives a significant portion of its hydr ology from overbank flooding
Open Water Wetlands
Open Water wetlands have water depths less than two metres, yet are too deep for emergent marsh vegetation to establish. Visually, these wetlands appear to be shallow lakes, although floating-leaved and submerged aquatic vegetation are common in more nutrient-rich settings.