A Walk in the Wetland

Two Pieces To Our Wetland Puzzle Wet Meadow Forest Wet Meadow Forest

Wet Meadow A wetland that is wet for only a portion of the year (November through June)

Wetland System Plants need oxygen to survive, and saturated soil (wetland conditions) has very little oxygen, forcing plants to ADAPT, or DIE. Water is purified as it passes through the wetland, leaving SEDIMENTS behind. Wetlands remove excess nutrients and toxic chemicals Roots of plants help bind the soil, helping to control FLOODING and EROSION

Habitat in the Wetland In our wet meadow, there is a vernal pond, which exists only during the wet spring months Important in the birth process for many species. Some species are dependent on the wetlands for all or part of their life cycles Water fowl, song birds, raptors, small mammals, deer, reptiles, and amphibians

What Is A Forest? Our forest is a combination of 3 types of forests: Upland Forest Lowland Forest Wetland Forest What Is A Forest?

Upland Forest Plants and trees that like dry soil conditions Upland forest in the background

Lowland Forest Transitional area where plants from the upland and wetland forest can both grow

Wetland Forest Found around the edges, where the ground stays wet.

Be Observant! What will you find in our Wetland/Woodland?

Nurse Logs Nurse logs provide growing space for seedlings on the crowded forest floor. Moss and ferns begin growing over the top. Tree seedlings, deposited by birds or wind, start to grow. As young trees mature, the nurse log decays and provides nutrients for the new trees. pages.cthome.net

Forest Floor Can you name some of the decomposers that live in this dark, forgotten habitat beneath our feet? Bacteria and microfungi are the most important inhabitants. They are the decomposers that recycle nutrients from dead plants.ANSWER: earthworms, centipedes, spiders, ants, mushrooms, and mold all RECYCLE the forest waste and provide nutrients for plants to use.

Fallen Trees Fallen trees are an important part of the environment, creating habitats for insects and birds. The decomposing wood also provides nutrients for the soil. What causes trees to fall? Wind storms, old age, disease, lightning…

Tree Bark Bark is the dead outer layer of cells on a tree. As the tree grows, the bark expands; this causes cracks or peeling. The bark layer has waterproof, air tight cells that protect the tree. What do you think the bark protects the tree from? Water loss, insects, disease, sudden temperature change.

Animals There are many signs of wildlife in the Wetland/Woodland. Trails Scat Their homes

Animals What type of animal homes might you find in different layers of our woodland? Upper Canopy Lower Canopy Trunk Layer Understory Herb layer Subterranean Layer There are human trails (wood chips) and animal trails. Please respect the animals’ trails by only walking ton the wood chipped trails! Upper canopy Homes may include hawks and eagles perch; lower canopy: maple and alder trees are home to squirrels, owls and nests for birds; Trunk layer: little shelter here in lower branches for woodpeckers and squirrels; Understory: deer and bear forage here, birds eat berries and make their homes in the bushes; Herb layer: mice, salamanders, frogs, ducks, and opossum in the ferns and flowers; Subterranean layer: moles, worms, ants, and beetles live in the roots of the plants

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