Topography
Generally, wetlands are located within topographic features that
are lower in elevation that the surrounding landscape such as
depressions, valleys, and flat areas. Topography plays an important
role in determining the size and shape of a wetland by controlling
where the water goes and how long it stays there.
Hydrology
Generally, the hydrology of a wetland is such that the area is
permanently or periodically inundated or saturated at the soil
surface for a period of time during the growing season. The
presence (or absence) of water is not necessarily a good method for
identifying wetlands because the amount of water generally
fluctuates depending on such things as rainfall patterns, snow
melt, dry seasons, longer droughts, and tidal patterns. Often the
same wetland can appear to be an open body of water some times and
a dry field at other times due to significant fluctuations in water
levels. The three water sources that contribute to wetlands
are:
precipitation falling within the wetland
groundwater moving up or out from the subsurface of the
wetland
surface flow from the surrounding watershed or nearby water bodies
(lakes, streams, oceans, etc.)
Location determines which of these sources will be contributing
water to a wetland.
Vegetation
Plants (called hydrophytes or just wetland plants) specifically
adapted to the reducing conditions presented by such soils can
survive in wetlands, whereas species intolerant of the absence of
soil oxygen (called "upland" plants) cannot survive. Adaptations to
low soil oxygen characterize many wetland species.
There are many types of vegetation in wetlands. There are plants
such as Cattails, bulrushes, Sedges, Arrowhead, Water Lilies, Blue
Flag, and Floaters like common duckweed. Pondweed is also another
type of plant that grows in wetlands, but it is not easily seen.
Peatland can be dominated by red maple, silver maple, and Elm
trees. Some types of trees in peatland can exhibit lower trunks and
roots that have adapted to the wet surroundings by forming
buttresses,like the cypress, enlarged root bases to better support
the trees in the mucky soil. Trees can also form knees, raised
roots that allow for gas exchange
To log this Earthcache please post a photo of yourself
and the GPS at the coords with the wetlands behind you.
You will also need to answer these questions via
email.
1. Approximately how wide is the wetlands at its greatest width
?
2. How many Bald Cypress trees are in the wetlands(you may have to
research Bald Cypress).
3. Why do trees form "knees" in wetlands ?(some of these knees are
visible at base of Cypress near coords).
As always take nothing from the site and leave only your
footprints.
Jeepstaff & Buddy