Station 1: Wetlands Habitat

Class discussion:

What is a wetland? What other names do we use to describe wetlands?

Wetlands are 'lands' that are 'wet.' Wetlands have special soils and plants that love water.

Wetlands can also be called swamps, marshes, and bogs, depending on the environment.

What is the most famous swamp in Georgia?

The Okefenokee Swamp is one of the largest swamps in the country.

Class Activity: Marsh Soup

Adapted from WOW: Wonders of Wetlands

Materials: small cups and spoons, trays or tupperware

• Give each student or pair of students small cups and spoons, and instruct class to create 'Marsh Soup' with water, mud, rocks, and plants (remember, this soup is not for eating!)
• Collect each soup cup and pour contents into larger pans or tupperware containers
• Ask students to describe the earth materials that are in their soup
• Take-away message:
  • Wetlands soils are different from other soil because they are wet for very long periods of time; these soils are called hydric soils
  • Wetlands plants are different from other plants because they are able to grow where there is a larger amount of water; these plants are 'water loving' or hydrophilic