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the north, and P_. taeda to the south. 



Bogs. Rather limited in size and distribution, bogs differ significantly 

 from swamps and marshes. While the latter wetlands are neutral to 

 alkaline in reaction, bogs are so acid that biomass accumulates in 

 their basins in the form of peat rather than decomposing and being recycled 

 in the system as is more often the case in marshes and swamps. Typical 

 species may include a variety of unusual plants, such as pitcher plant 

 ( Sarracenia spp .) orchids, sundews ( Drosera spp .) and blueberries 

 (Vaccinium spp .). The most characteristic species is sphagnum moss 

 ( Sphagnum spp. ) 



Ponds . Both fresh and salt ponds have been lumped here for convenience 

 although their floras are quite different. Salt ponds contain many of 

 the species found in shallow marine habitats but Ruppia maritima is most 

 often found. Fresh ponds have a wide range of species: submerged aquatics 

 such as tape grass ( Vallisneria americana ) , water milfoil (Myriophyllum 

 spp.), and bladderwort (Utricularia spp); and emergent species including 

 arrowhead (Sagittaria supp.), and pickerel weed (Pontederia spp.), as well 

 as plants characteristic of fresh marshes. 



SIZE 

 The prime function of size as a criterion lies in the viability of 

 the system to be protected. This varies greatly from system to system. 

 A tenth-acre bog may be quite defensible with some surrounding ecotone 



