Wetlands of Ontario EarthCache
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This Earthcache is located at Hillman Creek Conservation Area.It is
at the canoe launch site. This area is free to the public to visit
or to launch your canoe. No permissions are required to visit this
area.
Freshwater marshes are formed mainly by the infilling of ponds and
shallow lakes. These are small but highly productive ecosystems,
supporting an abundance of plants and animals. A freshwater marsh
is a mineral wetland that is periodically submerged by standing or
inflowing water from the surrounding area. Surface-water levels
fluctuate seasonally. Flooding occurs in times of high rainfall,
and drawdown occurs during dry periods, often exposing matted
vegetation or mud. Freshwater marshes often exhibit mosaic surface
patterns made up of pools or channels interspersed with clumps of
emergent sedges, grasses, rushes and reeds, with bands of shrubs
sometimes found along the edges. Submerged and floating aquatic
plants are abundant where pools occur. Marshes are defined as
wetlands frequently or perpetually covered with water. They are
characterized by emergent soft-stemmed vegetation adapted to
saturated soil conditions. Emergent plants have their leaves above
water level and their roots in the soil below. There are many
different kinds of marshes, but all types receive most of their
water from surface water, and many marshes are also fed by
groundwater. Marshes contain shallow water varying from 15 to 90 cm
in depth. Nutrients are plentiful and the pH is usually neutral
leading to an abundance of plant and animal life. Very large areas
of open water are uncommon and islands of vegetation are often
present. Marshes are the most common wetland type in North America.
Marshes moderate stream flow by providing water to streams - an
important function during periods of drought. The presence of
marshes in a watershed helps to reduce damage caused by floods by
slowing and storing flood water. As water passes slowly through a
marsh area, sediment and pollutants settle to the floor of the
marsh. Marsh vegetation and microorganisms also use excess
nutrients for growth that can otherwise pollute surface water such
as nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer. This wetland type is
very important to preserving the quality of surface waters. Because
of their high levels of nutrients, freshwater marshes are one of
the most productive ecosystems on earth. They sustain a vast array
of plant communities that support a wide variety of wildlife within
the wetland. As a result, marshes sustain a diversity of life that
is way out of proportion to its size. These habitats can be found
along the shores of the Great Lakes and also along rivers or in
other depressions across the broader landscape. They have
fluctuating water levels, particularly when they are isolated from
large water bodies. Hillman Marsh was purchased from over 30
different landowners between 1977 and 2005. This wetland is almost
1000 acres in size and one of the largest natural areas in the
region.It represents about 10% of the regions wetlands. Hillman
Marsh was once part of a massive 10,000 acre marsh which stretched
all the way to present day Point Pelee National Park.Hillman Marsh
contains numerous types of habitat which attract a wide variety of
water fowl and shorebirds, in addition to the field and forest
birds. This Conservation is also home to muskrat, white-tailed
deer, and several different species of turtles and frogs.
The requirements for logging this Earthcache are:
1)-What is the elevation reading on your GPS at ground zero ?
2)-What kind of water plants do you see growing in this area
?
3)-It is mentioned in the Long Description that there are surface
patterns made up of pools or channels in the Marsh. There is a
channel running through the Marsh at the posted coordinates.What is
your estimated guess of the width of this channel?
4)-Take a picture of you and /OR your GPS at ground Zero with the
Marsh in the background.
Please E-Mail your answers to us. Do Not post them with your
log.
Please Upload your pictures with your log.
The parking coordinates will bring you to the parking lot for the
canoe launch at Hillman Creek Conservation Area.There is no charge
or entry fee for the use of this area. br />
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