Reed beds are natural habitats found in
floodplains, waterlogged depressions and
estuaries. Reed beds are part of a
succession from young
reed colonising open water or wet ground through a gradation of increasingly dry ground. As reed beds age, they build up a considerable litter layer which eventually rises above the water level, and ultimately provides opportunities for
scrub or woodland invasion. Artificial reed beds are used as a method of removing pollutants from
grey water.