The Wetland

Regions of Georgia

GPS: S3L1a.

Wetlands
 Georgia Wetlands

Georgia borders the Atlantic Ocean, so it also

has a coastline and an abundance of barrier
islands. We call most of this area the wetland
region.
 Wetlands

Definition- A wetland is an area of land that is wet all

or most of the time.

One type of wetland is called a swamp.

Swamps are forested wetlands. Unlike
marshes, they have trees and bushes.
Swamp
Swamp
 The other type of wetland is called a marsh.
What do you think is the difference between
a marsh and a swamp?

Marsh
 Types of Wetlands

Wetlands can be found all over Georgia.

There are several marshes in the piedmont
region, and there are many swamps located
in the coastal plain region. One of the most
famous wetlands in Georgia is the
Okefenokee Swamp.

The soil in these wetlands is usually wet

and spongy.
 Many animals have adaptations for living
in wetlands.
Some ducks dive under water to get
food, & alligators can stay under water
for a long time without breathing.
 Marsh / Swamp Habitat

The Okefenokee Swamp one of the largest

swamps in the U.S. and is a habitat for many
different species of plants and animals.
Okefenokee means Land of Trembling Earth.
The Okefenokee Swamp is in the Coastal Plains region.
 Marsh / Swamp Habitat

Not all of the

Okefenokee is a
swamp. Part of it is a
bog which is a mossy
wetland.
It is so boggy that
you can shake trees
by stomping on the
ground!
 The Okefenokee
Swamp is obviously a
very wet, mucky place
to be!

Most trees would

drown in this
habitat, but not
the Cypress- it
loves all that
muck!
 Marsh and Swamp Habitat Trees

Trees include giant tupelo and bald cypress

trees.

Cypress Trees
Tupelo Trees
Look at the trunk (bottom of tree) of the Cypress trees. They are so
large (swollen) because they have to provide the tree support and
stability since the ground is covered by water instead of firm soil.
Cattail Plants: The thick roots grow underground near
the edge of wetlands. As long as the water is not too deep, the
cattails love the open sunshine and abundant water, storing a
large amount of food in their root system. In fact, cattails at the
edge of pond can grow faster than fertilized corn in a field!
Marsh / Swamp Carnivorous Plants
The Okefenokee is home to
many fascinating carnivorous
plants. Carnivorous means
"meat-eating." Pitcher
Plants eat live bugs! The
bugs are attracted to the
smell and they crawl inside.
Once inside, they are ****The marsh/swamp
is the only habitat
trapped and the bugs drown
with carnivorous plants
in the water it collects. The because of the
flower has strong chemicals nutrient poor soil!
that immediately dissolve
the bug.
The Sundew flower has sticky stuff on the plant.
When bugs land, they are stuck. Then the flower
can eat the bug.

The Sundew
flower is also a
carnivorous
plant!
Since mosquitoes
need warm
temperatures and
water in which to
lay their eggs.

The swamps are a

perfect habitat for
the little blood-
suckers! Ouch!
 Marsh and Swamp Habitat
Land Animals

The Okefenokee's largest mammal is the

Florida black bear. The black bear eats plants
and animals.
 MarshandSwampHabitat
WaterAnimals
Water Moccasin
One of Georgias few
venomous snakes.
It can coil, bite, and coil
again in second!

Did you know a full

grown alligator can
grow up to 15 feet
and weigh 700
pounds?
There are 30 different types of snakes in
the Marsh and Swamp habitat!
 Swamp and Marsh Habitat Birds

Osprey

The Sandhill Crane

These birds feed on

small prey such as
lizards, rats, and Anhingas

snakes.