A WALK IN THE WETLAND
TWO PIECES TO OUR WETLAND PUZZLE Wet Meadow Forest
Wet Meadow
Forest
WET MEADOW A wetland that is wet for only a portion
of the year (November through June)
WETLAND SYSTEM Plants need oxygen to survive, and saturated
soil (wetland conditions) has very little oxygen, forcing plants to ADAPT, or DIE.
Water is purified as it passes through the wetland, leaving SEDIMENTS behind.
Wetlands remove excess nutrients and toxic chemicals
Roots of plants help bind the soil, helping to control FLOODING and EROSION
HABITAT IN THE WETLAND In our wet meadow, there is a vernal
pond, which exists only during the wet spring months
Important in the birth process for many species.
Some species are dependent on the wetlands for all or part of their life cycles Water fowl, song birds, raptors, small
mammals, deer, reptiles, and amphibians
WHAT IS A FOREST?
Our forest is a combination of 3 types of forests:1. Upland
Forest2. Lowland
Forest3. Wetland
Forest
UPLAND FOREST Plants and trees that like dry soil
conditions
LOWLAND FOREST Transitional area where plants from the upland and wetland forest can both grow
WETLAND FOREST Found around the edges, where the
ground stays wet.
BE OBSERVANT!
What will you find in our Wetland/Woodland?
NURSE LOGSNurse logs provide growing space for
seedlings on the crowded forest floor.
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FOREST FLOORCan you name some of the decomposers
that live in this dark, forgotten habitat beneath our feet?
FALLEN TREESFallen trees are an important part of
the environment, creating habitats for insects and birds. The decomposing wood also provides nutrients for the soil.
What causes trees to fall?
TREE BARKBark is the dead outer layer of cells on a
tree. As the tree grows, the bark expands; this causes cracks or peeling.
The bark layer has waterproof, air tight cells that protect the tree. What do you think the bark protects the tree from?
ANIMALSThere are many signs of wildlife in the
Wetland/Woodland. Trails Scat Their homes
ANIMALSWhat type of animal homes might you
find in different layers of our woodland?
Upper Canopy Lower Canopy Trunk Layer Understory Herb layer Subterranean Layer
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