A fen is a type of peat-accumulating wetland fed by mineral-rich ground or surface water. [1] [2] It is one of the main types of wetland along with marshes, swamps, and bogs. Bogs and fens, both peat-forming ecosystems, are also known as mires. [2] The unique water chemistry of fens is a result of the ground or surface water input.

Fens are peat-forming wetlands that rely on groundwater input and require thousands of years to develop and cannot easily be restored once destroyed. Fens are also hotspots of biodiversity. They often are home to rare plants, insects, and small mammals.

fen, type of wetland ecosystem, especially a low-lying area, wholly or partly covered with water and dominated by grasses and grasslike plants such as sedges and reeds. Fens develop on slopes, in depressions, or on flats as a result of sustained flows of …

The term "fen" is used to describe a class of open, wetland plant communities dominated by sedges, which develop where the ground surface is continuously wet and a layer of dead plant material accumulates to form peat.

Jun 24, 2023 · Both fens and bogs belong to the latter-most group of palustrine wetlands, which are those that are dominated by trees, shrubs, and/or emergent vegetation. They are also often home to many species of mosses and lichens, though this isn’t exclusive to the palustrine class, and are often rich in unique animal and plant life.

Jun 20, 2024 · A fen wetland is a type of peatland that relies on groundwater input and develops over thousands of years. Fens are characterized by a high water table and slow internal drainage, resulting in persistent anaerobic conditions.

May 22, 2017 · Essentially wet prairies, fens are unique wetlands on a slope, characterized by plant communities found in sun-drenched landscapes: A continuous flow of cool groundwater in and through fens makes them unique.

Fens are peatlands with deep organic deposits and are influenced by slow, lateral water movement. Often referred to as “muskeg,” fens are the most extensive wetlands in the western boreal forest.

Dec 14, 2021 · Fens are palustrine wetlands characterized by alkaline, often mineral-rich soils, though fens can also be somewhat acidic depending on the type of soil or rock that the groundwater comes into contact with.

May 15, 2018 · Fens are wetlands with moderate or low fertility and they are fed by surface runoff and groundwater. Fens are mostly found on gentle slopes. The principal feature of a fen is the high water table and the low or moderate rainfall. The flow of …