SWAMPS

SWAMPS, excessively moist areas of the earth’s  surface  covered  with  hydrophilic vegetation. They develop as a result of land inundation and weediness of water bodies; they are characterized by peat accumulation. By the amount of accumulated peat there are wetlands (less than 30 cm) and peat swamps (more than 30 cm); by geomor­ phological and hydrological features and by the availability of the elements of mineral feeding the peat swamps are divided into lowland (eutrophic) S., upland (oligotrophic)and transitional (mesotrophic) S. 540 peat S. of the total area of approx. 51 thous. ha (less than 0.4% of the territory of the Republic) are known all over the RB. The greatest swampiness is recorded in Krasnokamsky and Uchalinsky raions. The Republic is dominated by lowland S., developing along the river banks and lake shores (Meshchegarovskoye, Naratlykul in Salavatsky Raion, Utyashevskoye, Shar in Belokataysky Raion, Novo­Hazino in Kras­ nokamsky Raion, Kyzyl­Yar in Iglinsky Raion, Kuzlay in Davlekanovsky Raion, etc) and in the flooded area of reservoirs. Upland S. are usually located on watersheds (Byabay, Mokhovoye, Narat, Ulu­Saz in Kras­ nokamsky Raion, etc); transitional S. — mostly in the mountain part of the Republic (Beloretsky and Uchalinsky raions), in­ between rivers Belaya and Kama (Tugalyak in Krasnokamsky Raion, Neglubokoye in Kaltasinsky Raion, etc). Hanging swamps are found in the mountain area. S. is a habitat of many  commercial  animals  (boar,  elk, nutria, etc) and birds (great grouse, crane, Strix nebulosa, etc) and the place of growth of medicinal plants, relicts, endemics. Willow, bird cherry, currant, Carex cespitosa, Filipendula ulmaria, common reed, Argen- tina anserina, celandine, valerian, marsh horsetail, mosses grow here; rare plant species: helleborine, Centaurium uligino- sum, etc are in evidence.