California Fens
Discover the Fens of California
What is a Fen?
Fens are a type of wetland. Fens get water and nutrients from a ground source of water.
Types of Fens
Differentiated by topography, slope, and subsurface flow, ground water feeds fens in California.
Rich Fens, Poor Fens
The “wealth” of a fen is largely determined by its soil acidity.
How Old are Fens?
Though some may be over 8,000 years old, the exact ages of fens in California is open for further study.
Diversity of Fens
Fens are important for their biological diversity and habitat.
Fen Conservation
Groundwater alteration, land use, and exotic plant species threaten fens in California.
Fen Monitoring
Fen monitoring assists the management and restoration of fen wetland ecosystems.
More Information
References and links to more information about fens in California.
Hotspots of Biodiversity
“Fens are an important and unique wetland type. Fens are peat-forming wetlands that rely on groundwater input and require thousands of years to develop and cannot easily be restored once destroyed. Fens are also hotspots of biodiversity. They often are home to rare plants, insects, and small mammals. Larger animals like deer and livestock graze in this type of wetland. Fens are valuable to humans as well. They are important as sites of groundwater discharge and are good indicators of shallow aquifers. Vegetation in all wetlands plays an important role in recycling nutrients, trapping eroding soil, and filtering out polluting chemicals such as nitrates. In addition, fens figure prominently in nearly all scenarios of CO2-induced global change because they are a major sink for atmospheric carbon.”
Weixelman & Cooper 2009