Perched Prairie Fen - A Rare Sight
Stay on the walkway, viewing platform, and trails leading to the posted coordinates. This is an Environmentally Sensitive Area.
Fens and Bogs, are peatlands, wetlands that accumulate peat. They are located in areas where groundwater flows to the surface. Fens typically have more nutrients than bogs, and typically support a greater diversity of flora and fauna. While fairly rare in southern Ontario, fens are quite common in northern Ontario. The Brantford Perched Fen is very unique, as there are only to such Fens in all of Ontario. Fens are fragile environments and walking on one will leave footprints for many decades. For that reason, do not leave footprints, do not enter this Fen. Stay on the walkway, viewing platform, and trails leading to the posted coordinates.
The two most common types of fens in Canada are raised and ribbed fens. Raised fens form in an old glacial lake basins or in shallow plains, and ribbed fens have parallel peat ridges with pools of water perpendicular to the direction of slope and drainage. Streams, run-off and groundwater provide nutrient enrichment to fens. Therefore, fens receive more nutrients than bogs, which means they are more likely to support a greater diversity of flora and fauna community.
Stay on the walkway, viewing platform, and trails leading to the posted coordinates. This is an Environmentally Sensitive Area.
In order to claim this EarthCache, you must visit the Brantford Pearched Fen, and e-mail me the answers to the following question. All answers can be found by making on site observations, or reading the information provided in the description above.
1) How is a Fen similar to a Bog?
2) At the posted coordinates, using your compass, tell what direction the water is flowing into the Perched Prairie Fen?
3) Standing at the posted coordinates, estimate the size of this Fen.
4) Name some of the rare plants, growing in and around the Perched Prairie Fen.
5) Describe the flow of water, in the Fen. You may choose to use: water spouts, bubbling, flowing quickly, slow flow, limited movement or Frozen.
Optional of Course:
Please post photos of any significant observations you make while visiting the Brantford Perched Fen. What did you find most interesting?
Stay on the walkway, viewing platform, and trails leading to the posted coordinates. This is an Environmentally Sensitive Area.