Wetland Ecology and

The “Mud Walk!”

Over 70% of Earth is covered by Water!!!

Fresh Water Use

“Drip Water Irrigation” most efficient, but used on less than 1%

of crops worldwide.(Expensive)

Water is Finite

Technically, what are wetlands?

• Must fit one or more of following qualities:– hydrophytes (plants that live in water)

• Water table stands at or near the land surface – the substrate is predominantly undrained

hydric soil – the substrate is saturated with water or

covered with water sometime during the growing season.

“The Most Biologically Diverse Of All Ecosystems”

Water Levels:• Fluctuates Seasonally

– Highest in spring due to heavy rains and snow melt.

– Aquatic plants & insects flourish; Amphibians and waterfowl come to mate and lay eggs.

– Large number of nutrients brought to wetlands by water.

Water Levels:

• Water levels drop during the summer and by late fall these levels are at the lowest. Many dry up. *Vernal (ephemeral) Pools

• Aquatic invertebrates become dormant.

• Plants have root system that is very extensive allowing them to survive.

• Re-flooding occurs, plants and animals come back to life

Water Levels:

Re-flooding is very good for a wetland to increase productivity of the area.

Benefits of Wetlands?

Prevent Floods & Droughts

50 % of MN have been drained(50% of wetlands worldwide since 1993)

How to drain a wetland???

Nutrient Availability

Water Level

Low

High

High

Mineral Soils

Organic Soils

SWAMP

BOG

FEN

MARSH

Wetland Types

• Bogs– Peat Dominated– Low Nutrients (Ca, Mg)– Strong Acid (pH < 4.8)– Vegetation

• Sphagnum Mosses• Trees if present are low

and stunted (black spruce and tamarack)

Wetland Types

• Fens– Peat Dominated with high water table

and slow drainage– Enriched Nutrients (Ca, Mg)– pH from 5.5 to 7.0– Vegetation

• Grasses• Sedges• Reeds

Wetland Types

• Swamps– Standing/Gently

Flowing Water– Seasonal Flooding– Moderate Nutrients – Neutral (pH = 7)– Vegetation

• Dense Conifers• Deciduous Forest • Tall shrub thickets

Wetland Types

• Marshes – Standing or gently flowing

water– Nutrient Rich– Neutral to Moderate

Alkaline (pH > 7)– Vegetation

• Cattail

• Rushes

• Sedges

• Grasses

• Floating leaved/submerged species

Nutrient Availability

Water Level

Low

High

High

Mineral Soils

Organic Soils

SWAMP

BOG

FEN

MARSH

Succession:

• A predictable and orderly change in the composition or structure of a biological community

Succession of Wetlands:New Ponds: Pioneer Species is Algae

Submergent Stage: a few plants are growing under water near the shore

Emergent Stage: More plants growing and sediment causes the pond to become more shallow as basin begins to fill

Dense Marsh Stage: Basin becomes very shallow and emergents, sedges as well as grasses cover the wetland

Wet Prairie Stage : Standing water gone. Area may become invaded by native trees and shrubs such as willow and cotton woods.

Prairie Biome Forested Biome

Bog: Growth of trees and shrubs that grow on a carpet of moss. Majority of water is gone due to sedimentation.

Wetland Succession

Succession Is Dependent on a Variety of Factors:

1. Water Depth

2. Climate

3. Bottom Type

4. Hydrologic Changes

5. Human Impact

Blaine High School 1979

Wetland Succession in Action

Blaine High School Wetland

• Wetland Type 2: Wet Meadow– “It appears the Wet Meadow was historically the

predominant community type occurring at this site. However, suppression of fire and alteration to the hydrologic regime has resulted in a significant influx of Cattail Marsh and Willow Swamp. Willow Swamp community type is a common feature of Wet Meadows; however, historic periodic fires would set this plant succession stage back. The predominance of reed canary grass and stinging nettle in the southeastern portion of the wetland typically indicates that historic ditching may either partially or effectively drain this area.”

Mud Walk Objectives• To experience first-hand and in a physical way a

strange new environment

• To learn to work together and to solve problems involved in data collection

• To recognize the element of danger and adventure

• To share with others the laughter, fear, enjoyment, frustration and hard work involved in the experience.

• To have a better understanding of lake succession.

• To be able to identify and classify various organisms collected in the marsh

• To take part in a scientific study that will contribute to our understanding and documentation of our surrounding environment.

What to bring

• Duffle bag with clean clothes and towel.

• Wear old clothes. Long pants, long sleeve shirt, socks and shoes.

What to do??

* Bring bag with clean clothes, towel, etc. to loading dock.

*Class mud walk. (NO THROWING MUD)

*Hose off at loading dock, grab your bag.

*Walk behind school to locker rooms & shower.

*Bring dirty clothes home, or put in dumpster.

*Class grade based on cleanliness of locker room.

*Stay in Phy. Ed area until bell rings.

Your Job:• In research teams, collect data including:

-GPS coordinate

-Air Temp.

-Surface Water Temp.

-30 cm depth Water Temp.

-Water Depth

-Plant Specimens

-Animal documentation including micro-invertebrates

-Dissolved Oxygen Content

-Nitrogen Content

-pH