Fresh Water Marsh

Madrona Marsh

Madrona Marsh

Madrona Marsh

This habitat is very much reduced in Southern California due to development. These habitats are very rich in productivity, and support many species of distinctive plants and animals. Marshes in Southern California often dry up during the long dry season, or become quite restricted, so plats growing there must be tolerant of dry soils at least part of the year. Rushes, bulrushes, and sedges are common, and cattails are often found in the shallower water near the margins. Willows such as the black willow and red willow are common in our freshwater marshes, as are arroyo willows. Mule fat is found around the margins of the more alkaline marshes. Duckweeds form floating mats. Many of the birds found in salt marshes are also found in freshwater marshes. In addition, red-winged blackbirds areabundant, and many migratory shorebirds use the habitat.