Swamp vs Marsh

[caudor]

Although it is fantasy, I do want the geographical features of my campaign to make some sense. So what exactly is the difference between a swamp and a marsh? Are they different terms for the same thing?

Basically, I just want to name and place them is ways that make sense.

 

[dcollins]

There's no distinction within the D&D rules.

 

[Hypersmurf]

The Fount of All Knowledge pointed me to this website...

Swamp
A swamp is an area of wet, muddy land covered by trees and shrubs. Swamps occur throughout the world in low land regions, coastal areas, and near slow flowing rivers. These differ from marshes where the plant life consists mostly of grass and a wide variety of plants. The soil is so moist that it supports trees, shrubs, vines, and other plant life. Ponds and streams that lead to a swamp provide a home for fish, frogs, and such reptiles as a crocodiles,alligators, snakes, and turtles. Many kinds of birds and insects live in swamps also. There are three major swamps which are deep water, fresh water, and salt water swamps.

Marsh
A marsh is a subject to periodic flooding, particularly if located near a river or stream, or in the case of saltwater marshes, near tidal waters. Consequently, its water level can change drastically. Its boundraies are not as well defined as those of a pond. A marsh may dry out completely by late summer. A marsh is overgrown with coarse grasses, sedges, and bushes.

The major differences between a marsh and a swamp is that marshes have open lands and swamps have less water and is overgrown by trees and grasses.

-Hyp.

 

[caudor]

The Fount of All Knowledge pointed me to this website...

Swamp
A swamp is an area of wet, muddy land covered by trees and shrubs. Swamps occur throughout the world in low land regions, coastal areas, and near slow flowing rivers. These differ from marshes where the plant life consists mostly of grass and a wide variety of plants. The soil is so moist that it supports trees, shrubs, vines, and other plant life. Ponds and streams that lead to a swamp provide a home for fish, frogs, and such reptiles as a crocodiles,alligators, snakes, and turtles. Many kinds of birds and insects live in swamps also. There are three major swamps which are deep water, fresh water, and salt water swamps.

Marsh
A marsh is a subject to periodic flooding, particularly if located near a river or stream, or in the case of saltwater marshes, near tidal waters. Consequently, its water level can change drastically. Its boundraies are not as well defined as those of a pond. A marsh may dry out completely by late summer. A marsh is overgrown with coarse grasses, sedges, and bushes.

The major differences between a marsh and a swamp is that marshes have open lands and swamps have less water and is overgrown by trees and grasses.

-Hyp.

Thank you for the detailed info. That clarifies it perfectly! The Fount of all Knowledge, eh? I'll have to check that site out.

Thanks again

 

[caudor]

Ha!! It's Google

 

[Hypersmurf]

Ha!! It's Google

Your point?

-Hyp.

 

[caudor]

Ah, no point in particular

I had searched yahoo for about 30 minutes before deciding to post the question on Enworld.

I should use google more often.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I had searched yahoo for about 30 minutes before deciding to post the question on Enworld.

I searched Google for about 30 seconds before replying

I should use google more often.

Now that should go in someone's sig

-Hyp.