Swamps
A lot of what makes up Franklin Parker Preserve is its swamps. This complex system of swamps helps keep many different plant and animal species alive. Just like the pitch and cedar forests, the swamps and surrounding land invites many different native pineland species.
The swamps throughout this preserve come in various forms. Some are deeper than other, whereas some of them may have more vegetation. Below are different types of swamps the team has gathered.
Rivery Swamp
This is the kind of swamp that or more similar to a river. It may be deeper but it doesn't have to be. Some of the river-like swamps may even be a part of a real river.
Pond/Lake Swamp
The swamps that are similar to ponds and lakes are the most common swamps here. Although the swamps are not anywhere as close to the depth of a real river, plenty of plants and animals including fish live in them.
Swamp is not only large in surface area but also has its own islands
In the first photo below, there is a grass island on the swamp. Many of the lake-like swamps will have these.
Marshy Swamp
Similar to the ponds and lake-like swamps, the marshy swamps have much more grass and tend to be much shallower. These swamps may be the first to dry up during a drought, although deeper swamps can dry up as well. When you find marshy swamps, you will usually find 'lake-lake' swamps as well.
This swamp may have plenty of lake like swamp-land but it has a lot of marsh as well
An abundance of marsh before leading to the rest of the swamp -- island of pitch pine trees
A marshy area that you can only find yourself
Lush Swamp
The lush swamp whose area is void of high grasses still isn't free from vegetation
With plenty of water, plenty of lush vegetation will grow. The perfect environment for plants that love damp, sandy, and acidic soils. In the photo below, even though it isn't an immediate swamp, it's very close to one and contains a whole field of lush bushes and trees.
Lush vegetation near the swamps
In the photo, many sweet pepperbushes are living near the swamp. They are mixed in with plenty of other plants like pitch. Notice how the needles on the pitch in the field are larger and more spread out since they receive more direct sunlight.
Other Unique Swamps
Many swamps and wetlands have an invasive species that is known as the common reed. It's also common to find cedar tree skeleton forests near swamps, especially rivery swamps.
