Swamp Frogs

Swamps are characterised by rich biodiversity and specialized organisms such as frogs. In North America, swamps are usually regarded as including a large amount of woody vegetation, but elsewhere this may not necessarily apply, such as in African swamps dominated by papyrus. Swamps and other wetlands have traditionally held a very low property value compared to fields, prairies, or woodlands. They have a reputation as being unproductive land that can't be easily utilized for human activities, other than perhaps hunting and trapping. Farmers for example typically drained swamps next to their fields so as to gain more land usable for planting crops. It is now generally understood that swamps are critically important in the processes of providing fresh water and oxygen to all life, and steps are now taken by government environmental agencies to protect and preserve swamps and other wetlands.