Wetlands are areas of standing water that support aquatic plants. Marshes,
swamps, and bogs are all considered wetlands. Plant species adapted to the
very moist and humid conditions are called hydrophytes. These include pond
lilies, cattails, sedges, tamarack, and black spruce. Marsh flora also include
such species as cypress and gum. Wetlands have the highest species diversity
of all ecosystems. Many species of amphibians, reptiles, birds (such as ducks
and waders), and furbearers can be found in the wetlands. Wetlands are not
considered freshwater ecosystems as there are some, such as salt marshes,
that have high salt concentrations—these support different species of
animals, such as shrimp, shellfish, and various grasses.