Bog or Fen?
The 627 ha nature reserve located in the headwaters of Otter Creek of the Salmon River system, protects one of the largest examples of open and treed fen in southeastern Ontario. Fens, which are rare in southern Ontario, are botanically rich wetlands found mostly in large shallow depressions in the landscape. In the middle of the reserve is Mud Lake, a shallow water body, surrounded by 19 different natural habitats. The nature reserve protects significant wildlife species, including the Olive Hairstreak Butterfly and Cooperís Hawk. Ok, so we know the answer already, you are visiting a Fen, and not a Bog Now lets see why this area is a Fen and not a Bog
Fens
Fens, are peat-forming wetlands that receive nutrients from sources other than precipitation: usually from upslope
sources through drainage from surrounding mineral soils and from groundwater movement.
Fens differ from bogs because they are less acidic and have higher nutrient levels.
They are therefore able to support a much more diverse plant and animal community.
These systems are often covered by grasses, sedges, rushes, and wildflowers.
Some fens are characterized by parallel ridges of vegetation separated by less productive hollows.
The ridges of these patterned fens form perpendicular to the downslope direction of water movement.
Over time, peat may build up and separate the fen from its groundwater supply.
When this happens, the fen receives fewer nutrients and may become a bog.
The Fen in this area was formed here, when glaciers retreated, leaving Mud lake, followed by shallow depressions, heading towards the parking area. These low depressions were left with soil over a water saturated gravel/sand base This is evident towards the parking area in the sand/Gravel zone. Each stage from Mud Lake to the parking lot is a stage and evidence of the glacial melt. Over time the water saturated the land forming the FEN
Bogs
Bogs are characterized by a sizable accumulation(>40 cm) of peat and have a relatively high water table with very little inflow or outflow of water or none at all.
These sites have very low productivity, contain few mineral nutrients, are very acidic (pH levels of 3–5), and are covered with a layer of floating vegetation.
Many bogs have developed in the depressions created by the melting of the ice during the glacial retreat some 10,000 years ago.
Over time, these glacial lakes have amassed large volumes of organic material, gradually converting them into peat bogs.
Other bogs have formed in sloughs and low depressions where there is limited or no drainage.
As you take the journey from the parking area N 44° 20.989 W 077° 06.105
to Mud lake N 44°21.690 W 077° 06.850
you will be taken through 7 distinc nature zones
In Order from Parking area
Forest Returns
Wetland Edge
Wooded Wetland
Central Upland
Flower Fields
Sand and Gravel hill
Shrub Fen
All 7 area's make up the Fen in this area.
The entire walk to the lake is about 1.7 km's and varies in terrain
from cut grass paths, to boardwalks and gravel hilly areas.
Each of the 7 Zones are labelled with a marker that included the Lat/Long information.
So lets start our journey.
I am going to ask you to collect information at each stage
1) Explore and discribe the ground at each stage.
note how wet or dry each area is
2) Explore and discribe the vegitation at each stage.
3) Grab a stick, and at each stage how far can you push it into the ground?
4) When at Mud Lake, look and expolre at the soil in the water, describe the texture and make up
of this soil. does it contain sand, gravel etc of is it just mud?
5) Now that your at the lake, in your own words, tell me why you believe this is a Fen and not a Bog
Send the answers to my Via my Geocaching profile
For Questions 1,2 and 3 you may copy and paste the info below to help you.
Area
Forest Returns
Moisture level in ground:
Vegitation found at this location:
Depth stick when into ground:
Wetland Edge
Moisture level in ground:
Vegitation found at this location:
Depth stick when into ground:
Wooded Wetland
Moisture level in ground:
Vegitation found at this location:
Depth stick when into ground:
Central Upland
Moisture level in ground:
Vegitation found at this location:
Depth stick when into ground:
Flower Fields
Moisture level in ground:
Vegitation found at this location:
Depth stick when into ground:
Sand and Gravel hill
Moisture level in ground:
Vegitation found at this location:
Depth stick when into ground:
Shrub Fen
Moisture level in ground:
Vegitation found at this location:
Depth stick when into ground:
Photo's are never mandatory for my Earth Caches, but are always welcome.
Remember with Coman123 EC's, the idea is to first off HAVE FUN
Do not sweat getting the answers exactly right, if there are any issues, I'll help you out.
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This Cache is being published for the DLA2013 Event GC4948Q and should
not be sought before 9am on August 24th, 2013