type of wetland From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A fen is a type of wetland. It is usually fed by mineral-rich surface water or groundwater.[1] Fens have neutral or alkaline water, with dissolved minerals but few other plant nutrients. They are usually dominated by grasses and sedges, and typically have brown mosses like Scorpidium or Drepanocladus.[2]p8
Fens may have a high diversity of other plant species, including carnivorous plants such as Pinguicula.[2]ch9[3] Fens may occur along large lakes and rivers where seasonal changes in water level keep soil wet, with few woody plants.[4]
The distribution of individual species of fen plants is connected to water regimes and nutrient concentrations.[5][6]
Fens have a characteristic set of plant species, which indicate environmental conditions. They are called "fen indicator species".[7]
Fens are distinguished from bogs. Bogs which are acidic, low in minerals, and usually dominated by sedges and shrubs, with abundant Sphagnum mosses.[2]p8
Fens have been damaged in the past by land drainage, and also by peat cutting.[8] Some are now being carefully restored with modern management methods.[2]ch13 The principal challenges are to restore natural water flow regimes, to keep the quality of water, and prevent invasion by woody plants.
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.