Of the many types of wetlands in our landscape, Bayhead Swamps are nearest to us, often part of our backyards and neighborhoods. And yet, they are often recognized only as those “wet” and “muddy” domains where our children like to roam. And why not! Any child playing outdoors loves a mud puddle or ditch to explore. But let me share why these wet spots are a gift to us.
As explained in the first of this series of stories about why wetlands are gifts (https://ourmshome.com/the-gift-of-wetlands-tidal-marshes/), wetlands support several functions and values, particularly in our immediate neighborhoods and communities. Bayhead Swamps are one of several types of forested wetlands – dominated by trees. The name bayhead references two aspects of these habitats, including the dominant species of tree and the habitat’s relative location in our landscape.
Sweetbay Magnolia is a wet-tolerant tree that dominates these spaces. Because it is evergreen, it is easy to spot across the landscape and is a marker for the linear wet swales they inhabit. The “head” part of the term bayhead references the relative position of these habitats in the landscape, positioned at the head or the upper portions of all freshwater drainages. These low places are where stormwater begins its journey downhill from adjacent uplands where we live.
These habitats resemble small valleys where water runs downhill and saturates the soil that supports the many wet-loving plants that live there, like ferns. Bayheads collect and transport water further downstream, but seldom have standing water, except immediately after a rain event. From there, water is delivered to ever larger streams that lead to rivers, all part of the watersheds in our world. We all live in watersheds, with Bayhead Swamps occupying the tips of the wetland elements of these systems.
Collecting, storing, and channeling stormwater from uplands is a major function of Bayhead Swamps. And yet, this function of bayheads is undervalued and frankly ignored by communities. Stormwater that used to be absorbed by vegetation and allowed to seep into the ground of undeveloped land (pervious surfaces) now falls on impervious surfaces of our ever-expanding communities, represented by roofs, driveways, streets, and parking lots. What was slowed by vegetation of uplands is now delivered to the tops of bayheads at greater volumes and at flow rates that erode soils.
These higher flows and associated erosion often lead to the transition of these wetlands into rock rubble or concrete lined channels. The idea is that we need to drain our spaces quickly. But these channels also transport water at higher and faster rates, simply moving the problem further downstream, often resulting in flooding. What we miss is that if protected from high rates of flow, these wetlands can continue to mitigate stormwater draining from our communities.
The other major function and value of bayheads is their ability to absorb pollutants flowing from our engineered uplands that contributes to improved water quality. Even in natural settings, bayheads function as the kidneys of our watersheds, filtering out sediments, nutrients, and other chemicals that flow into them from adjacent uplands. Besides these functions, numerous wildlife benefit from these wetlands in many ways.
And yet, Bayhead Swamps can again be part of urban watersheds, through their restoration and integration as part of stormwater management systems (https://ourmshome.com/a-wetland-grows-in-moss-point/). A much better solution than looking at a concrete lined ditch. Take the time to notice the Bayhead Swamps in your neighborhood. They are quite beautiful and inviting. Grab a child and get muddy!
Hope to see you in our great outdoors!