Marl prairie explained

Marl prairies are wet prairies that allow for a slow seepage of overland water and exist in the Everglades, usually bordering deeper sloughs, and contain low-growth vegetation.^[1]

Description

Marl is loose earthy deposits mixed with clay and calcium carbonate and sits on limestone bedrock. Marl prairies are home to microbes, bacteria, and algae, and serve as an important food source to some fish, tadpoles, and invertebrates.^[2] Marl prairies are also thought to be the preferred breeding ground of the endangered Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow.^[3]

See also

• Taylor Slough
• Shark River Slough

Notes and References

1. Web site: Wet Prairies. flmnh.ufl.edu. Florida Museum of Natural History.
2. Web site: Ecosystems: Freshwater Marl Prairie. nps.gov. National Park Service.
3. Web site: Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow: Species Profile. nps.gov. National Park Service.