There are four different types of wetlands.
Grassy marshes
Forested swamps
Peaty bogs
Fens
Along with bogs, fens are a kind of “mire”. In simplest terms a “mire” is a wetland terrain without forest cover dominated by living, peat-forming plants.
So what’s the difference between bogs and fens? Well a bog has an acidic PH, low in minerals, and is usually dominated by sedges, shrubs, and abundant mosses in the “sphagnum” which is at the “genus” level of life in the hierarchy of biological classification's. There are about 120 different species of moss at this level.
Fens are truly unique. Fens are usually fed by mineral-rich surface water or groundwater. They are characterized by their water chemistry, which is pH neutral or alkaline, with relatively high dissolved mineral levels but few other plant nutrients. They are usually dominated by grasses, sedges and frequently have a high diversity of other plant species.
**Logging requirements**
DO NOT POST ANSWERS IN YOUR LOG.
Send the following answers to me via email.
- The text "GC5C7EZ Ozark Fen" on the first line
- What part of the year does this fen get its water?
Go to waypoint “Pavilion”"
- Under the pavilion there is a great explanation of this particular fen. Look at the red list, What is #4?
- What type of fen is this one?
- After the devastating flood of 2005 the fen is not what it used to be. Do you see any water around this pavilion
Go to waypoint “Water”
- Do you see any water here, or not?
Go to waypoint “End”
- Measure this fen at its current dimensions from “end” to “pavilion”
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