a walk in the wetland

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:1. Upland

Forest2. Lowland

Forest3. Wetland

Forest

UPLAND FOREST Plants and trees that like dry soil

conditions

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 LOGSNurse logs provide growing space for

seedlings on the crowded forest floor.

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FOREST FLOORCan you name some of the decomposers

that live in this dark, forgotten habitat beneath our feet?

FALLEN TREESFallen 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?

TREE BARKBark 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?

ANIMALSThere are many signs of wildlife in the

Wetland/Woodland. Trails Scat Their homes

ANIMALSWhat type of animal homes might you

find in different layers of our woodland?

Upper Canopy Lower Canopy Trunk Layer Understory Herb layer Subterranean Layer

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