This presentation is the property of the Connecticut Audubon Society (CAS).

This presentation may not be used for any purpose other than originally intended.The intention of this presentation is for teachers to use it as an introduction to the Connecticut Audubon Society in preparation for their

students’ participation in the CAS’s Science in Nature education programs.

Wetland Ecology

Science in Nature

http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/courses/current/eh0102ca.html

This presentation is designed to help you prepare for your trip to Connecticut Audubon Society’s Larsen

Sanctuary.

Before we get started, make sure you have your Wetland Ecology Journal ready so that you can answer questions in the journal as we go along

The answers to the questions on page 2 of your journal are in this presentation, so pay

close attention.DON’T FORGET to bring your journal with you to Audubon!

What is aWetland

?

Wetland?

http://www.cpe.rutgers.edu/courses/current/eh0102ca.html

A wetland is an area where the ground is saturated by water year round or part of the year.Wetland = Wet -

land!

Wetlands

Ecology – the study of the interactions between organisms and their environment

Wetland ecology

Wetland – A habitat characterized by saturated soils year round (or seasonally)

“Eco” = Greek for “house”, environment

Wetland Ecology

Putting it together

the study of all of the interactions between

wetland organisms and their surroundings, including soils,

the water, etc.

lakeshorepreserve.wisc.edu www.ecohusky.uconn.edu

http://www.johnharveyphoto.com/Japan2/Nikko/StreamByFalls.html

http://home-repair-remodeling-building.com/natural_swimming_ponds

http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/vernal-pools/

Swamp

Pond

Stream

Vernal Pool

Marsh

Types of wetlands

Flood control

http://www.branford-ct.gov/Inlands%20Website

%20info.htm

Ecosystem services

http://www.ctwetlandsconsulting.com/wetlands-homeowner.html

http://suturi.com/?p=8782

http://www.dailyworldfacts.com/flood-facts/

Refills ground waters

Food source

Filters pollutants

Wetland threats

https://sites.google.com/site/thisistnachen/water-pollution-research

Nutrient pollution

Wetland threats

Sediment pollution

Wetland threats

Thermal pollution

Photo: Morgan Kaolian AEROPIX

Wetland threats

Filling and building

http://ut.water.usgs.gov/images/gsl_dye_plume.bmp

How would you test the health of a

wetland?

http://www.epa.gov/climatestudents/impacts/signs/acidity.html

pH

Agriculture = nutrients = change in pH

Ideal pH: 6-8.5Air pollution = acid rain = decreased pH

Dissolved oxygen

http://www.pbs.org/safarchive/5_cool/

galapagos/g52a_water.html

Water temperature

Increased water temp = decreased DO

Ideal temps for animals:

4°C - 22°C (34°F - 72°F)

Thermal pollution

Bioindicators

You’ll be a wetland scientist at the Larsen Sanctuary!

1. Compare the water quality at 4 different wetland habitats

4. Use your problem solving skills to create wetland solutions

2. Discuss why it is important to understand wetlands and their threats

3. Learn what you can do to protect our wetlands

At CAS, you will…

1.Lots of teamwork!

3. You will spend over 2 hours in nature, exploring and investigating

What to expect

2. Lots of sharing what you think about wetlands, nature, etc.

How to prepare

for your trip

to CAS

• Wear long pants

• Wear close-toed shoes that can get dirty• Wear a jacket or rain coat to keep warm & dry

Be a prepared scientist

• Bring at least one pencil

• Bring a bottle of water

• Bring a snack for the hike (fruit, granola bar)

• Bring your Wetland Ecology Journal

Be a prepared scientist

• Long pants

• Close-toed shoes

• Jacket or rain coat

• Pencils

• Water

• Snack

http://www.123rf.com/photo_8169876_dirty-old-grass-stained-lawn-mower-worn-out-sneaker.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerkay/2011/03/23/microsoft-may-have-to-sharpen-its-pencil/

http://www.caricooks.com/2010/08/apple-pie-granola-bars.html

http://keetsa.com/blog/activisim/conservation/15-excellent-sigg-reusable-water-bottle-designs/

• Journals

See you soon!!!

© Howard Eskin