Deep Marsh Perennials

This tool lists various Habitat Fact Sheets developed by the Region 5 Regional Response Team. To suggest additions to this tool, please contact Barbi Lee. Click here for Inland Response Tactics Manual.

Cattail MarshFloating Cattail MatBroadleaf Cattail <i>Typha latifolia</i>Narrowleaf Cattail <i>Typha angustifolia</i>Hybrid Cattail <i>Typha x glauca</i>Broadleaf Arrowhead <i>Sagittaria latifolia</i> colony.Broadleaf Arrowhead <i>Sagittaria latifolia</i> with wide leaves.Broadleaf Arrowhead <i>Sagittaria latifolia</i> with narrow leaves.Arrowhead FlowerGiant Bur Reed <i>Sparganium eurycarpum</i>Bur Reed Stand amidst DuckweedBur Reed Flowers and FruitPickerelweed <i>Pontederia cordata</i>Pickerelweed FlowerPickerelweed Flower and Leaf

I. Habitat Description

The deep marsh perennials habitat includes portions of lakes, ponds, marshes, or backwaters that are semi-permanently flooded and more than 10% vegetated with persistent emergent vegetation dominated by pickerelweed (Pontederia), arrowhead (Sagittaria), cattail (Typha), or bur-reed (Sparganium).  Invasive species include hybrid cattail (T. latifolia), which is distinguished by its intermediate features between the parental common and narrow leaf cattails. This habitat may have incursions of submersed, nonrooted- floating aquatics, rooted-floating aquatics, or other emergent vegetation and is typically found growing in water up to 1 meter deep. During normal water conditions, there is little flow, though there can be wind-generated currents and stronger flows at inlets and outlets.  During flood conditions, these habitats can be connected to rivers or streams, have strong currents, and the potential to carry large amounts of debris.


II. Sensitivity to Oil Spills

The deep marsh perennials habitat is high sensitive to oil spills. This habitat is valuable to a variety of birds, amphibian, reptile, and mammal species as well as micro and macro invertebrates, many of which are extremely sensitive to chemical exposure. During normal water levels, oil would be less likely to penetrate water-saturated soils; during floods, oil could be deposited in areas that dry out after the flood, and penetrate the loose, organic-rich surface soils. Light refined oils with high amounts of water-soluble fractions can cause acute mortality to animals and plants. Heavier oils tend to coat vegetation, which may survive if oil coats only the stems or if the roots are unaffected. It is difficult for more viscous oils to penetrate densely vegetated areas.


III. Sensitivity to Response Methods

The following text describes potential adverse impacts to this habitat resulting from various oil spill response methods and provides recommendations to reduce impact when these methods are implemented.  This is not intended to preclude the use of any particular methods, but rather to aid responders in balancing the need to remove oil with the possible adverse effects of removal.  More detail about the response methods themselves can be found in the Inland Response Tactics Manual.