Wetlands of Utah Standard 5 Students will understand the physical characteristics of Utah's wetlands, forests, and deserts and identify common organisms for each environment. Objective 1 Describe the physical characteristics of Utah's wetlands, forests, and deserts. a.Compare the physical characteristics (e.g., precipitation, temperature, and surface terrain) of Utah's wetlands, forests, and deserts. b.Describe Utah's wetlands (e.g., river, lake, stream, and marsh areas where water is a major feature of the environment) forests (e.g., oak, pine, aspen, juniper areas where trees are a major feature of the environment), and deserts (e.g., areas where the lack of water provided an environment where plants needing little water are a major feature of the environment). c.Locate examples of areas that have characteristics of wetlands, forests, or deserts in Utah. d.Based upon information gathered, classify areas of Utah that are generally identified as wetlands, forests, or deserts.

Wetlands are habitats which the land is saturated with water for at least part of the year; and water flows into the wetland from another source (example: larger river) or from precipitation such as rain or snow.

Imagine You Are There... Write on your sticky note the way you feel when you visit a wetland. Remember to use FEELING words, not action words. After reading notes – Can we summarize our feelings? Are they generally good? Or bad?

Did you know there are MANY kinds of Wetlands? Long regarded as wastelands, wetlands are now recognized as important features in the landscape that provide numerous beneficial services for people and for fish and wildlife. Read the article with your group, then it’s your turn to teach us! On your poster, find the 5 MOST IMPORTANT things we need to know!

Types of Wetlands Mud flats/Salt flats: These wetlands usually have little or no standing water, and have almost no vegetation. They also may have an outlet to another water body. The environment, especially in the salt flats, poses a huge challenge to any plants trying to adapt to these conditions. Most of the mud flats in Utah are located around the Great Salt Lake.

Types of Wetlands Playas: Playas have little to no vegetation and no outlets to other water bodies. A playa is a depression in the earth that fills with water in the spring rainy season, then slowly dries up, often leaving behind a salt flat. A playa always has both wet and dry seasons. Salt grass is the most common vegetation found in a playa. Playas can be found around the Great Salt Lake, as well as throughout the southern and western parts of Utah.

Types of Wetlands Ponds: Ponds, also known as depressional wetlands, are always covered with shallow water. Ponds are very important to wildlife, including migrating birds and many other species. Most wetlands found at lower elevations in Utah are ponds.

Types of Wetlands Lakes and Reservoirs: Lakes and reservoirs are similar to ponds, but have much deeper water. Because of this deeper water, they are sometimes not considered wetlands, but are more of a deep- water habitat. As stated previously, defining wetlands is not always straightforward.

Types of Wetlands Potholes: Potholes occur in solid rock. These small basins have been ground out of the rock by stones swirling in the water. The water in them is freshwater from precipitation or surface runoff. They do not have water all of the time, usually only during the spring or during the rainy season. There is often no vegetation, but you might find fairy shrimp in the water. They have no outlet and dry out through evaporation. These wetlands are also called tanks or tinajas. They are found in the Colorado Plateau.

Types of Wetlands Riverine/Riparian: These types of wetlands are found along rivers and streams. They usually have moving water and often connect two larger bodies of water. Riparian areas are considered some of the most productive areas for plants and animals, especially in Utah where there is little precipitation. Riparian areas often seem to be a ribbon of green in a sea of brown, unvegetated areas. However, not all riparian areas are considered wetlands. Cutthroat trout are often found in riverine wetlands in Utah.

JOURNAL TIME Match the definitions to their title on your Wetland Journal page.

Tuesday APRIL 26, BLOGS.ASCENTUTAH/ORG/CCERNY BELL RINGER: 1)Describe the characteristics of a Wetland. 2)What are the two types of adaptations? Give one example of each. hour 15 minutes less than Sandy exercising last week. Sandy spent 50 minutes less OBJECTIVE ( Standard 5) 1. Students will understand the physical characteristics of Utah's wetlands, forests, and deserts and identify common organisms for each environment. 2. Describe Utah’s Wetlands 3. Locate examples in Utah that have characteristics of Wetlands. 4. Describe the 3 job descirptions of a wetland. PRACTICE: Students will take notes on Utah Wetlands in their Science Journal, and participate in conversations about Utah Deserts. EXIT TICKET: 1. In your journal, describe the three job descriptions of a Wetland.

Wetland Job Description JOB #!: CARETAKER Wetlands are important spawning and nursery areas for commercial and recreational fish and shellfish industries (remember 75%), as well as feeding, nesting and shelter zones for fish and migrant birds. JOB #2: DESTRUCTION CONTROL Water flowing into wetlands is spread out and slowed, making it less destructive. Plant roots also bind soil to help it stay in place. By causing fast-moving stream water to slow down and spread out, wetlands act as buffers to protect inland life and land. Wetlands store rain and surface water like giant sponges, slowly releasing them to downstream habitats and aquifers. JOB #3: CUSTODIAN Wetlands clays and soils remove harmful phosphates, metals and agricultural runoff from surface and ground water.

JOURNAL TIME List the three Job Descriptions of Wetlands on your Journal Page. Remember they are: 1.Caretaker 2.Destruction Control 3.Custodian

Wed APRIL 27, BLOGS.ASCENTUTAH/ORG/CCERNY BELL RINGER: In the inside of our Science Journal cover, describe the three job descriptions of a Wetland. n Sandy exercising last week. Sandy spent 50 minutes less OBJECTIVE ( Standard 5) Students will understand the physical characteristics of Utah's wetlands, forests, and deserts and identify common organisms for each environment. - Describe Utah’s Wetlands - Locate examples in Utah that have characteristics of Wetlands. - Describe the 3 job descriptions of a wetland. I can discuss how mammals, birds, and plants adaptations to survive in a wetland. PRACTICE: Students will take notes on Utah Wetlands in their Science Journal, and participate in conversations about Utah Deserts. EXIT TICKET: Name an example of a mammal, bird, and plant that live in a Wetland. How do they each adapt to survive.

Adaptations: Record in Journal Mammals: These include thick, oily fur to keep the water away from their skin and webbed hind feet for swimming. EXAMPLES: Beaver, Muskrat Birds: Wetland birds have many adaptations to them thrive in water saturated habitats. Some of these adaptations include webbed feet, long thin legs, the ability to dive under water and well waterproofed feathers. EXAMPLES: Ducks, Geese Plants: Wetland plants are adapted to survive in soil without oxygen and to cope with flooding cycles. EXAMPLES: Duckweed, Cattails, Bulrush, Cottonwood, Willows