From:    Wayne Tyson 
Subject: Re: Mire/wetland related terms

Please see my [[notes]] in the original text.=20

In principle, international terminology should be as international in its
origin, therefore, presumably, its understandability, as possible.  The
terms cited in the original text either are derived from Indo-European root
forms or are local, provincial, or at least not so international in their
origins and affinities. =20

To keep from becoming mired in controversy, may I suggest that etymologists
be consulted?  If international terms are to be agreed upon, it would seem
prudent to have an international discussion, particularly including learned
journals and universities.  It does not seem to be the province of ad hoc
committees. =20

I believe that the term "mire" is specific, not generic, and is of
primarily UK usage and derivation (see [[note]]).  Therefore, since it
relates to artificial as well as temporary conditions in terms of its
etymology, and is not in universal usage, it does not have a place in
international nomenclature. =20

Wetland is simple in its meaning, easily understood universally, and
generic.  That is, all swamps, marshes, bogs, fens and the like are
wetlands (unless fens are either not wetlands or both wetlands and uplands).=
 =20

Swamps can be defined as wetlands which are bounded by a common land
elevation if the etymology I have cited is correct. =20

Marshes can be defined as wetlands not so bounded, but are open to a sea
(fresh, salt, or brackish water). =20

Bogs can be defined as wetlands that swell. =20

Peatlands can be defined as lands consisting of peat. =20

"Fen" is apparently confined in its origin to the UK.=20


Respectfully submitted,=20
Wayne Tyson


At 05:09 PM 07/07/2000 +0200, you wrote:
>Dear ECOLOGers !
>
>The Global Action Plan for Peatlands (Ramsar COP7 Recommendation VII.1,
>see http://ibs.uel.ac.uk/imcg/ for more details) identified  Knowledge
>of Global Peatland Resources=CE as one of the main opportunities. Within
>this opportunity, the development of globally standardized peatland
>terminology and classification systems consistent through several
>languages is required.
>Few years ago, the IMCG (International Mire Conservation Group) started
>an initiative for unification of peatland classification and
>terminology. Since there are several traditional and approved regional
>and national classifications and terminologies (i.e. in Fennoscandia,
>Canada, USA, Russia, Germany), the aim of the IMCG project is to create
>a classification system which allows both the inclusion of the latest
>knowledge and understanding about mires as well as the integration with
>the various national systems. The consistent, universally accepted
>classification system is indispensable for comparable inventories and
>the regional/global mire conservation tasks.
>
>The recent discussion about the meaning of the term  acidic fen=CE here in
>ECOLOG-L affirms the importancy of this issue.
>Also the IMCG Conference in Quebec 2000 deal with the topic. In my
>presentation there I would like to demonstrate some examples of the
>wide-spread meanings of selected mire and wetland terms (not only chosen
>from selected literature but  cought=CE from the life use).
>If you liked to help me, answer shortly to the following four questions:
>
>(1) How do you define the term  mire=CE [[see below]] (if you know
spontaneously, give
>me the reference for this meening) ?
>(2) How do you define the term  wetland

[[Wetland is defined as "a lowland area such as a marsh or a swamp, that is
saturated with moisture, especially when thought of as the natural habitat
for wildlife."]]

=CE (if you know spontaneously,
>give me the reference for this meening) ?
>(3) Are the terms  peatland

[[Peat is defined as "partially carbonized vegetable matter, usually
mosses, found in bogs."  Therefore, peatland would seem to define any land,
regardless of its moisture or water content, that is characterized by=
 peat.]]

=CE and  mire

[[Mire is defined as "an area of wet, soggy and muddy ground, a bog.  Deep,
slimy soil or mud."  This would appear to best describe any area with those
characteristics, natural or unnatural.  While recognized and used (not
technically) in the USA, its use is apparently in decline, the verb form
being most common.]]

=CE  the same (synonymic) for you ?,
>if not, write the differences
>(4) Do you agree with Oliver (see his ECOLOG-L contribution from June
>30), that   fen

[[Fen, or in Old English fenn, is derived from the root form pen-, meaning
"swamp" or "marsh."  "Marsh" is derived from the root form mori-, meaning a
body of water, while "swamp" originally was derived from the Low German or
Middle Dutch "somp," "sump" also being derived therefrom.  It would appear
that "swamp" would be characterized as being, perhaps among other things, a
[wet] depression, "marsh" a place with standing water, perhaps on the edge
of a body of water, either lacustrine or marine, but not depressed
(dilenated by a common encircling land elevation).  Fen, being of more
recent derivation would seem to relate primarily to English folklore,
having a more tenuous (or at least more recent and local) meaning, should
be confined to its land of origin and the terms of broader Indo-European
roots, "swamp" and "marsh" used instead--unless a less than arbitrary means
of defining "fen" as characterized by grass is established.  "Fen" is
known, but not commonly used, in the USA.]]

 is wetland with predominantly grasses and a bog

[[Etymologically, bog is derived from the root form bheug- meaning to swell
or bend.  Therefore, a bog is a wetland that swells-- with  German, Norse,
English affinities.]]

>predominantly mosses=CE ? If no, how do you define both terms ? (if you
>know spontaneously, give me the reference for this description).

[[The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.  William
Morris, editor.  American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc. and Houghton
Mifflin Company, 1973.]] =20


>
>It would be great if you find few minutes for the answer (via ECOLOG-L
>or directly to me). Responses not only from Europe are required! Thanks
>in advance
>
>Jan
>
>--
>Dr. Jan Sliva
>Technische Universitaet Muenchen
>Department of Ecology
>Chair of Vegetation Ecology
>Am Hochanger 6
>D-85350 Frising-Weihenstephan
>Germany
>
>Tel.: ++49-8161-713715
>Fax: ++49-8161-714143
>http://www.weihenstephan.de/vegoek/index.html
>
>

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