Station 1: Wetlands Habitat

Class discussion:

What is a wetland?

Wetlands are 'lands' that are 'wet.' Wetlands have special soils and plants that love water. Wetlands soils are called hydric soils because they are flooded for long periods of time. Hydric Soils create environments that favor hydrophytic plants, such as the vegetation seen here. Wetlands soils can also filter pollutants from the water.

How do wetlands or swamps help our environment?

Wetlands help control flooding by soaking up excess stormwater, like a sponge for the environment. Wetlands help maintain good water quality in rivers and streams, and provide a home for a large variety of plants and animals.

What is unique about hydric (wetland) soil?

Hydric soils are flooded for long periods of time, and have developed anaerobic conditions (without oxygen). Because oxygen is not able to seep through the soil, plants that grow in hydric soils must be adapted to live without much oxygen as well.

What are factors that can influence soil formation?

• nature of original 'parent' material
• climate (is water present? is water liquid or ice?)
• organisms (what flora and fauna are present?)
• topography (influences literal placement of wetlands-- ex. in a depression or low spot)
• time (how long has the soil been forming?)

Activity Warm-up:

• Display 'Wetlands Soils' mini poster, or pass around copies to class
  • https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1O8KHg2w8iTHf51MJ2BRkQnMNsREKDdr-QfI7RfB0Lbg/edit?usp=sharing
• Point out Two types of Wetlands Soils -- Organic and Mineral, and distinguishing characteristics of each type
  • Why is it important to identify wetlands?
    • To distinguish wetlands from other land cover types and ecosystems
    • Wetlands are very valuable areas for an ecosystem

Activity: Wetland Soils in Living Color

Adapted from Project WET

• Soils are often used to determine whether or not an area is a wetland
  • Color can provide important clues and is used by scientists to classify soils
  • (refer to Wetland Soils poster)
• Dig a hole 1- 2 feet deep to collect soil samples
• Distribute copies of Wetland Soils Color Chart and have students compare soil samples to color chart to determine which wetland soils are found at this location
  • Have students determine which parts of the sample are organic and which are mineral
  • Ask students to describe and discuss other characteristics of the samples -- texture, presence of earthworms or other organisms, smell, moisture level, etc.)