Fen Wetlands Lab Report

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WetLands Biology Lab Dakota, Couch RRMT121 09/28/13 On Wednesday September 18th 2013, the northern field biology class went on a field trip to the Fen wetlands behind the copperridge area. We then observed the types of vegetation by making vegetation quadrat surveys. As well we learned about the role of wetlands and how important they really are to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The five general types of wetlands found in Canada are marsh, bog, fen, swamp, and shallow open water. Marshes are defined as wetlands that are periodically or permanently covered by stopped or slow moving water. Marshes are rich in nutrients and are known for there vegetation of reeds, rushes, cattails and sedges. Marshes are the most productive wetlands habitat. Swamps are mostly populated by shrubs or trees.…show more content…
The obligate hydrophyte can only grow in wetlands where as a facultative hydrophyte can grow in both wetlands and high lands. An example being the sedges that were growing in the Fen wetland we observed. The purpose of the lab we did on the 18th of September was to give the class an understanding of how wetlands work and the vast life that lives in them. We used measuring tape to make cubic square quadrats, which we then used to make a quadrat survey to find out the vegetation in the square. Me and Mitch worked together to guess the overall density of each of the plants in the square. We classified betugland, salex, moss, pyrola and carex in are survey. Im not sure as to how the plot we did would be classified in the Canadian wetland system but the problems we encountered were being able to survey in deeper water as well as working around such uneven terrain. Any human activity in a wetland can be seriously harmful and even irreversible. The Fen we looked at behind Copperridge biggest fear would be man kind putting more houses or trails around it, because wetlands are fragile
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