There are multiple waypoints listed on this earthcache that will take you to the various signs and pavilions that are required to complete this earth cache. There may not be information related to questions for this earth cache at each location, but they all provide information for a better understanding of the wetland. They are all located on the boardwalks or trails and there is no need to leave the boardwalk or trail at any time to complete this earthcache. Please pay attention to park rules as well as your surroundings. This is a natural area and there are snakes and alligators that you may encounter during your time in the park.
The landscape in front of you is the result of a major restoration project and these wetlands are what are known as a working landscape. It is known as an Enhancement Wetland that has a combination of deep pools, emergent marsh and upland areas. The variation in topography and hydrology enhances water treatment and creates ideal living conditions for plants and animals.
How do wetlands treat water?
The Enhancement Wetland is an emergent marsh that is actively removing nutrients from the water. The plants found in emergent marshes are particulary good at removing nitrate-nitrogen, a nutrient that flows from wastewater treatment operations, septic tanks and fertilizer. Marsh plants support bacteria that is needed for removing the nitrogen from the water and allows it to be released as nitrogen gas.
Sweetwater Branch flows through Gainesville where stormwater and treated wastewater flow into the creek. The wetland here is a part of the treatment system and removes trash, sediment and excess nutrients prior to the release as a sheetflow to Paynes Prairie. Prior to the wetland restoration project, nurtient rich water from Gainesville was routed to Paynes Prairie directly through a man made canal and it drained directly into the Alachua Sink which serves to recharge the Floridan Aquifer. Because of the restoration project, water entering the prairie is cleaner than it has been in a century and the canal has been filled in to allow the natural sheetflow to be restored.
Plants that are found in this wetland have adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. They are, however, very sensitive to the depth of the water. The water in this wetland is controlled to an average depth of 8-12 inches to favor the wetland plants that are seen here. Deeper water would suffocate the plants and with less water, upland plants would displace the wetland plants.
In addition to the water purification functions of the deep water zones, they also add habitat diversity to a wetland ecosystem. This zone is home to a very different group of animals than in other areas of the wetland. Few plants can grow in deep water, but coontail and water naiads thrive as long as there is light. There are several species of birds, ducks, turtles and fish as well as alligators that live in this zone of the wetland.
The tree hammock island was specifically designed to provide greater habitat diversity for the wildlife that lives around this wetland. Trees adapted to wet soils provide vertical structure and habitat for birds and other animals. Dead trees in the form of snags also provide structure for habitat, both while standing and after they have fallen.
At the sheet flow area, clean water flows out onto the prairie that rehydrates this marsh area that was previously altered by the man made canal. The plants and animals as well as the Floridan Aquifer benefit from the restoration of the wetland.
To claim credit for this earth cache, please send the answers to the following questions to the cache owner through their profile by clicking on their name at the top of this page. Please do not post answers in your log, even if encrypted. All emails/messages must be received by the CO within 7 days of logging the find or your log will be deleted. If you find it as a group, only one person needs to submit answers, but they must include the names of all members of the group they were with in their message.
1) Which portion of the Enhancement Wetland removes trash and sediment? Which removes fine sediment? Which removes nutrients?
2) Why are enhancements cost-effective at improving water quality compared to treatment plants?
3) What are the three zones found in this Enhancement Wetland? How much of a change in water level do you think would be able to cause a zone to change from one to another?
4) What steps can you take to reduce the excess nutrients and sediment from entering streams?
OPTIONAL - Please feel free to post pictures of your time here at the wetland