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Marshes   

A marsh is another type of wetland. There are salt water marshes and fresh water marshes. Marshes have shallow water and floating leafed plants and grasses. A great many animals like marshes because it is a very good place for protection from predators, food supply, and nesting sites. Migratory birds and waterfowl depend on marshes as resting places as they migrate.

Fresh water marshes are dependent upon rainfall, runoff, and flooding that occurs during certain seasons. Fresh water marshes support many species of animal, such as frogs, turtles, ducks, egrets, heron, hawks, muskrat, mink, otter, and in some regions alligators.

Salt marshes are generally influenced by wind and tides and have special plants that have adapted to the salty life of a salt marsh. They are useful commercially for speckled trout, crabs, and shrimp.

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