Freshwater Marsh

Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
Song Sparrow
Black Phoebe
Sayornis nigricans
Black Phoebe
Brown-headed Rush
Juncus phaeocephalus
California Bulrush
Schoenoplectus californicus
California Bulrush
Yerba Mansa
Anemopsis californica
Arroyo Willow
Salix lasiolepis
Arroyo Willow
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
Red-winged Blackbird
Alkalai Rye
Elymus triticoides
Spreading Rush
Juncus patens
Alkali Bulrush
Bolboschoenus maritimus
Alkali Bulrush
Western Goldenrod
Euthamia occidentalis
Western Goldenrod
Basket Rush
Juncus textilis

 

Freshwater marshes are found throughout California, occurring in many different climates and elevations. They typically occur in nutrient-rich mineral soils that drain slowly and are waterlogged or saturated for most or all of the year. Freshwater marsh plant communities are characterized by the presence of emergent hydrophytes (plants adapted to growing in saturated soils and standing water) including rushes, sedges, cattails and grass species. Many of these species are rhizomatous (spreading from underground horizontal stems) and can tolerate growing in low oxygen conditions characteristic of saturated soils. Some freshwater marshes are vernal, filling with winter and spring rains and drying out in the summer. Freshwater marshes reduce destructive flooding, decrease waterborne pollution and support many species of resident and migratory animals. Despite these benefits to society and the environment, more than 90% of freshwater marshes in California have been destroyed due to filling with soil, draining, overgrazing or conversion to non-native species.