ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Shrub swamp

A shrub swamp is an area of land that is very wet and filled with lots of plants called shrubs. Imagine walking through a big puddle filled with bushes that are about as tall as your mom or dad. The water is not deep enough to swim, but it’s too deep to walk through without getting wet. This is what a shrub swamp is like.

The ground in a shrub swamp is always wet because there is a lot of groundwater and rainfall that collects in the area. But even though it's soggy, there are lots of plants that can survive in these conditions. Most of these plants are called shrubs, which means they are short and have thick stems that grow branched out.

The plants in a shrub swamp are very important because they provide homes for many different animals, like mice, birds, insects, and frogs. Since this area is always wet, it makes the perfect environment for these creatures. But it’s not just animals that call the shrub swamp home. Different types of bacteria and fungi grow there too.

If you ever get a chance to visit a shrub swamp, be sure to wear boots to keep your feet dry, and bring a camera to take pictures of all the cool plants and animals you see!