Theodore Marsh - Wetland Restoration EarthCache
Theodore Marsh - Wetland Restoration
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Attention! Some signs might be missing for now. Just do you best with the answers. The main point is to have you visit a nice little park and check out the area and nature.
Theodore Marsh preserver is the trail head to the Rock Run bike and nature trail. Decades ago, the property now known as Theodore Marsh was a wetland. But dumping of construction debris and invasion of non-native species worked to alter the ecology of the land. Right now this area is under a massive restoration. When the wetlands returns, habitat for a wide range of species will attract wildlife to this preserve. Because of man’s involvement this area dried up and became inhabitable by many animal species and plant life.
By definition a wetland is "those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas." Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Water saturation largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. The prolonged presence of water creates conditions that favor the growth of specially adapted plants and promote the development of characteristic wetland soils. Wetlands are everywhere in the world except Antarctica.
There are many ways to spot a wetland. One way is when the upper part of the soil is saturated with water at growing season temperatures, soil organisms consume the oxygen in the soil and cause conditions, called anaerobic conditions, unsuitable for most plants. Such conditions also cause the development of soil characteristics (such as color and texture) of so-called "hydric soils." The plants that can grow in such conditions, such as marsh grasses, are called "hydrophytes." Together, hydric soils and hydrophytes give clues that a wetland area is present.
This wetland is what is known as a Prairie Pothole. It was formed by receding glaciers that produced shallow depressions which seasonally fill with water, these are a favorite breeding and feeding area for North American ducks. These wetlands also play an important role in recharging freshwater aquifers.
Now it is your turn to take a walk along the northern loop of this preserve to learn about the transformation of this area and see the progress people have made along with learning how it is possible and why it was important to do so and why it was important to do what they did to transform this area. During this trip around the northern loop of this preserver you will learn why this area is so important and how we are working to fix it. To log this cache you must:
E-Mail me the answers to these questions. It has come to my attention a few more signs have gone missing. This should not be an issue as most of the key signs are in place. Just do the best you can and you should be fine.:
1. Why are wetlands so important to us? (This information is on the trail head information sign. Hint: Wetlands are Natures what….)
2. What do non-native plants take away from the native plants which is one of the reasons non-native plants can thrive if not controlled?
3. List two of the four steps needed for restoration to happen in this area.
4. As you travel from the north side of the park to the south you will see you are going from a prairie, to wetland, to marsh. What is the noticeable difference between these spots and how does that effect each habitat?
5. Give at least one befit to native plants to this area.
6. Give at least two benefits to prescribed burns.
7. Why is their a difference in the amount of ground water when it pertains to native and non-native plants?
Also take a picture with you and the wetlands in the background.
Do not leave the trails at anytime for this. All answers can be found on the trailhead information sign or signs spread out over the north circle trail.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)