Backyard Wetland

A mini-wetland in your yard can provide many of the same benefits that natural wetlands offer. A mini-wetland can replace the important natural functions of wetlands that may have been lost when your community was developed.  A wetland in your backyard will temporarily store, filter, and clean runoff water from your roof and lawn. It will provide habitat for many interesting creatures--from butterflies and bees to toads, frogs, and birds.  Most wetland plants do not require standing water to grow successfully, and will survive even in an area that appears dry during most of the growing season.  If you have a naturally occurring wet spot in your yard, or a low swale or drainage way with heavy clay soils, you easily can turn it into a wetland paradise. Even if you do not have a natural wet spot, you can establish an area in your yard to grow many of the beautiful plants associated with wetlands.

A wetland is simply any area where water covers the soil or keeps it saturated for at least two or three weeks during the growing season. This is different than a rain garden, which while having some of the same benefits drains in less than 72 hours.  You will usually find wetlands anywhere water accumulates at a rate faster than it drains away. Some are inundated year-round while others only hold water for brief periods in the spring. Most wetlands are covered with water for less than a month during the summer. Wetlands dominated by grasses, cattails, and similar herbaceous vegetation are referred to as marshes, while wooded wetlands, dominated by shrubs and trees, are called swamps.

Invasive plants

Native plants are plants that were located in Ohio before 1750.  Of the roughly 3,000 plants in the state 700-800 are non-native plants.  Most of these species never stray far from where they are introduced (gardens, urban areas, agricultural fields), yet some become very invasive and displace native plants in woodlands, wetlands, prairies, and other natural areas. Non-native plants have been introduced for erosion control, horticulture, forage crops, medicinal use, and wildlife foods as well as simply by accident.  Sometimes we plant non-native plants for landscaping or wildlife habitat without realizing the problems they may cause when they escape into natural areas. Without natural predators or controls, invasive non-native plants are able to spread quickly and force out native plants. In Ohio, several non-native plants are invading woodlands and displacing native spring wildflowers. Other non-native plants are impacting our wetlands by creating monocultures. Native plant diversity is important for wildlife habitat as many animals depend on a variety of native plants for food and cover.

Purple Loosestrife is listed as one of the Top 10 plants along with Garlic Mustard

ODNR has a list of the Top 10 Ohio Invasive Plants and a more extensive list of the plants.

On The Farm

In the rural landscape, wetlands filter chemicals, excess nutrients, and sediment from flowing water, protecting streams and drinking water sources. They also provide habitat for many wildlife species.  Across the country, many farmers voluntarily return formerly drained wetlands in crop fields and pasture to fully functioning wetlands. Many of these acres were marginally productive and returning them to wetlands provides significant ecological, economic, water purification, and recreational benefits.  Many farmers enhance their wetlands with nesting structures for ducks and other birds, put in plants and annual seeding to provide winter food and cover for wildlife, and establish native wildflowers to make the landscape more attractive.

This and more information can be found at here