Aquatic Forest EarthCache
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The cache coordinates will take you to a designated parking area that is part of the Natchez Trace Parkway approximately 20 miles northeast of Jackson, MS. Information necessary to complete the cache can be found along the gravel walking trail nearby.
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile drive through exceptional scenery and 10,000 years of North American history. Used by American Indians, "Kaintucks," settlers, and future presidents, the Old Trace played an important role in American history. Today, visitors can enjoy not only a scenic drive but also hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping. For more information, visit the Natchez Trace Parkway website at www.nps.gov/natr or Facebook page www.facebook.com/NatchezTraceParkwayNPS , or call 1-800-305-7417.
SWAMPS Swamps are forested wetlands. Like marshes, they are often found near rivers or lakes and have mineral soil that drains very slowly. Unlike marshes, they have trees and bushes. They may have water in them for the whole year or for only part of the year. Swamps vary in size and type. Some swamps have soil that is nutrient rich, other swamps have nutrient poor soil. Swamps are often classified by the types of trees that grow in them.
FROM LAKE TO SWAMP Swamps start out as lakes, ponds or other shallow bodies of water. Over time, trees and shrubs begin to fill in the land. Plants die and decay and the level of the water gets lower and lower. Eventually, the original body of water becomes a swamp.
CYPRESS SWAMPS Cypress swamps are found in the southern United States. They are named for the bald cypress tree. Bald cypress trees are deciduous trees with needle-like leaves. They have very wide bases and "knees" that grow from their roots and stick up out of the water. Bald cypress trees can grow to 100 to 120 feet tall. Cypress trees grow very quickly after a fire and re-establish themselves before other trees have a chance to grow! Many of the bald cypress trees in cypress swamps in the U.S. were cut down in the late 1800s and the early 1900s. The wood from the bald cypress is resistant to rot and was a popular wood for building. Other trees and shrubs like pond cypress, blackgum, red maple, wax myrtle, and buttonwood can also be found in cypress swamps. Animals like deer, raccoons, woodpeckers, gallinules, egrets, herons, alligators, frogs, turtles and snakes are often found in cypress swamps.
In order to claim this earthcache as a find, you must take the self-guided tour along the short nature trail at this site (which will provide answers to cache questions). The requirements for logging this cache are as follows:
1. Upload a picture of you or your group in front of the National Park Service sign for the Cypress Swamp.
2. Email me the answers to the following four questions:
A) What old river used to flow through this area, that allowed for the creation of this particular swamp?
B) What animal did the early Spanish explorers find in this swamp and what did they name it?
C) What makes the biggest difference in determining the species of trees that grow in a swamp?
D) Name one way in which a swamp can benefit mankind.
As per earthcache rules, logs not accompanied by an email with the answers to the cache questions will have to be deleted.
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Treasures
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