Facts about Marshes

1. 06

   Migratory waterfowl depend on marsh ecosystems during their annual journeys, with some species traveling over 3,000 miles between Arctic breeding grounds and wintering marshes in the Gulf Coast region.

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2. 05

   Marsh plants like cattails and bulrushes remove excess nitrogen and phosphorus from water through their tissues, reducing agricultural runoff pollution by up to 90 percent in treatment wetlands.

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3. 04

   Saltmarsh cordgrass plants can absorb up to 1.5 tons of salt per acre annually through their roots, then excrete excess salt through specialized leaf glands to survive in brackish marsh environments.

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4. 03

   Over 40 percent of global wetland loss since 1900 occurred in marshes, primarily due to agricultural drainage and urban development converting these ecosystems into farmland.

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5. 02

   Freshwater marshes in North America produce approximately 6 tons of plant biomass per acre annually, making them among the most productive ecosystems on Earth.

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6. 01

   The Everglades marsh in Florida spans approximately 1.5 million acres and filters water naturally while supporting over 60 native fish species.

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