The Tinicum Marsh EarthCache
Hidden : 1/10/2008
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Notes about this cache: This is a long walk along a relatively flat trail. The hike is about 3.2 miles round trip.

The John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum is administered by the Department of Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The refuge was established by an act of Congress in 1972 to protect the last 200 acres of freshwater tidal marsh in Pennsylvania. When acquisition is complete, it will consist of 1200 acres of varied habitats. Over the years, the refuge has become a resting and feeding area for more than 280 species of birds, 80 of which nest here. Fox, deer, muskrat, turtles, fish, frogs and a wide variety of wildflowers and plants call the refuge "home". It is one of more than 500 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System which is a network of lands and waters managed specifically for the protection of wildlife and its habitat. It represents the most comprehensive wildlife management program in the world The history of Tinicum Marsh, the largest remaining freshwater tidal wetland Pennsylvania goes back to the first settlements in the region in 1634. Swedes, Dutch and English diked and drained parts of the marsh for grazing. At that time, the tidal marshes measured over 5,700 acres. The rapid urbanization since World War I, reduced tidal marshes to approximately 200 acres. The remnant of this once vast tidal marsh is protected by the refuge. A diked, non-tidal area of 145 acres, adjacent to the eastern end of Tinicum marsh, was donated by the Gulf Oil Corporation to the City of Philadelphia in 1955. This area, administered for the benefit of wildlife and people, was known as Tinicum Wildlife Preserve. The areas of open water along with the adjacent heavily vegetated tidal wetlands formed an ideal habitat for thousands of migratory waterfowl. In 1969, the remaining area was threatened by plans to route Interstate 95 through it and by a sanitary landfill on the tidal wetlands. These activities started a long series of injunctions, public hearings and extraordinary efforts by private and public groups to secure rerouting of the highway and termination of the landfill operation. Under legislation passed by Congress in 1972, authorization was given to the Secretary of the Interior to acquire 1200 acres to establish the Tinicum National Environmental Center. In November 1991, the name of the refuge was changed to John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum to honor the late Senator who helped preserve Tinicum Marsh.

Tidal marshes can be found along protected coastlines in middle and high latitudes worldwide. They are most prevalent in the United States on the eastern coast from Maine to Florida and continuing on to Louisiana and Texas along the Gulf of Mexico. Some are freshwater marshes, others are brackish (somewhat salty), and still others are saline (salty), but they are all influenced by the motion of ocean tides. Tidal marshes are normally categorized into two distinct zones, the lower or intertidal marsh and the upper or high marsh. Freshwater marshes are close enough to coasts to experience significant tides but far enough upriver in the estuary to be beyond the reach of oceanic salt water. This set of circumstances usually occurs where fresh river water runs to the coast and where the morphology of the coast amplifies the tide as it moves inland. Freshwater tidal marshes are interesting because they receive the same “tidal subsidy” as coastal salt marshes but without the stress of salinity. They act in many ways like salt marshes, but the biota reflect the increased diversity made possible by the reduction of the salt stress found in salt marshes. Tidal marshes serve many important functions. They buffer stormy seas, slow shoreline erosion, and are able to absorb excess nutrients before they reach the oceans and estuaries. High concentrations of nutrients can cause oxygen levels low enough to harm wildlife, such as the "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico. Tidal marshes also provide vital food and habitat for clams, crabs, and juvenile fish, as well as offering shelter and nesting sites for several species of migratory waterfowl. Pressure to fill in these wetlands for coastal development has lead to significant and continuing losses of tidal marshes, especially along the Atlantic coast. Pollution, especially near urban areas, also remains a serious threat to these ecosystems. Fortunately, most states have enacted special laws to protect tidal marshes, but much diligence is needed to assure that these protective measures are actively enforced.

Geologically speaking, there is not necessarily much to see in a tidal marsh. Its bedrock is covered by a deep layer of sedimentary soil that has flowed in and out for thousands of years. However, this is also one of the tidal marshs’ intrinsic values. It contains an excellent sedimentary record for deciphering previous geologic eras.

The above coordinates will take you to the observation platform. Proceed to the upper level and take your picture here or a picture of your GPSr if you have no one to take your picture there. (Please note that if you are unable to climb the stairs, a picture of you in front of the tower will be acceptable). Now continue down the trail to N39 52.830 W75 15.818 and you will come to a bench. Please stand in front of the bench with your back to the water and take a picture of your and the skyline. Start your way back and head to the bird blind located at N39 52.873 W75 15.934. This blind gives a great view of the freshwater marsh. Please take your picture in or in front of the blind.


Please answer the following 2 questions:
Question #1: Why is a tidal marsh an important area?
Question #2: How many acres (educated guess) is the marsh?

In order to claim this earthcache your log must meet the following requirements:
1. E-mail me the answers to the 2 question above.
2. Take a picture of yourself (or group or GPS) at all three of the given coordinates and post them with your log.


References:
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/heinz/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Heinz_National_Wildlife_Refuge_at_Tinicum
http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/types/marsh.html#tidal
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-70753/boundary-ecosystem#588740.hook


Please remember that federal law prohibits the placement of caches and similar items on a National Wildlife Refuge lands.

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