9460

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9460
• Author: Wentz, W. A.
• Title: Wetlands Values and Management.
• USFW Year: 1981.
• USFW - Doc Type: Washington, D.C.
• Copyright Material: NO

Bogs

Lake and Shoreline Marshes

Bogs are a common type of freshwater
wetland in the northeastern U.S., the
Great Lakes region, and much of Canada.
Bogs are usually dominated by sphagnum
mosses, insectivorous plants, such as the
pitcher plant, and a variety of specialized
shrubs, such as leatherleaf and bog birch.
The accumulation of dead and decaying
vegetation intertwined with the roots of
living plants often forms a "quaking mat"
that extends over the open water of the
bog. Bogs are often characterized by
rings of distinctive vegetation that include
a variety of trees, such as black spruce,
larch, and northern white cedar. Although
bogs are very nutrient poor they do pro-
duce valuable products, such as cranber-
ries. In some areas water levels are
regularly manipulated to produce large
crops of cranberries and some types of
blueberries. Even the accumulated peat
deposits of bogs are valuable for use in
home gardens or as an alternative fuel
source.

Lakeside marshes are probably our most
common kind of freshwater marsh. These
small wetlands consist of narrow bands of
vegetation around the border of lakes or
small pockets of water that exist behind
lake beaches. Lake and shoreline wet-
lands filter water that flows into lakes
thereby helping to maintain water quality
in the lake. They also provide landscape
diversity and beauty around the lake in
addition to their importance as habitat for
fish and wildlife. In many lakes natural fish
production is dependent on associated
wetlands and without them fish stocking is
needed to maintain game fish popula-
tions. When lakeshore homes are built
these small wetlands are often bulldozed
out for marinas or filled in for building
sites. Careful planning could preserve
these small areas and their values.

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