Spring Garden's Old Lagoon EarthCache
Hidden : 6/12/2010
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

Spring Garden's Old Lagoon Earthcache

The Spring Garden Natural Area is designated part of the Ojibway Prairie Remnants Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. This site carries the designation of Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) by the Essex Region Conservation Authority. Many rare, threatened and endangered species of plants and animals inhabit Spring Garden such as Purple Twayblade Orchid, American Chestnut, Colic-root, Dense Blazing Star, Wild Indigo Duskywing butterfly, Duke's Skipper, Red-headed Woodpecker and Grey Fox. Spring Garden features oak savanna and woodland, dry prairie, buttonbush swamp and a wetland in the form of an old lagoon.

A wetland is an area of land which soil is saturated with moisture (water) either permanently or seasonally. Many were formed at the end of the last ice age when glaciers retreated and the shallow depressions (low lying areas) left over filled with water. Over time, sediment and organic material collected in the depressions resulting in shallow wetlands surrounded by dry land.

Geology plays a critical role in understanding wetland dynamics. Three characteristics make wetlands unique -- vegetation, soils, and hydrology. The vegetation is dominated by plants adapted to wet conditions (many of which are rooted); the soils are developed in water-saturated materials; and the areas are either saturated, periodically flooded, or contain permanently standing water. Wetland soils are known for their wetness but they should also be known for their high organic content. Most wetland soils have a higher amount of organic material than terrestrial soils.

You will begin your journey at a trailhead marker (see additional waypoints for coordinates). At this point there is a placard with information about the Spring Garden Natural Area. Your walk will take you along a trail next to the wetland.

When you arrive at the posted coordinates, you will be at a small clearing where you can get a good view and appreciate the size of the wetland.

In order to log this Earthcache, you must provide the following:

1. Photo of you AND/OR your GPSr with the old lagoon in the background. You must attach this photo to your log.

2. Email team wiji the answers to the following questions: Does the area appear to be saturated, periodically flooded, or contain permanently standing water? Secondly, describe the colour of the water and/or soil present?

++ Congratulations to Bog Dan and champelplot on the FTF!! ++

This cache was placed and is maintained by an essexcountygeocachers.org member.

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