Download BI 131 Laboratory Freshwater Wetland Ecosystems Species Seen

BI 131 Laboratory
Freshwater Wetland Ecosystems
Species Seen During Wetland Walk (tentative list)
Common name
Scientific name
Alder, speckled
Alnus rugosa
Blueberry, highbush
Vaccinium spp.
Bog laurel
Kalmia polifolia
Bog rosemary
Andromeda glaucophylla
Buttonbush
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Cattails
Typha spp.
Cottongrass
Eriophorum sp.
Cranberry, large
Vaccinium macrocarpon
Cranberry, small
Vaccinium oxycoccus
Duckweed
Lemna sp.
Fern, marsh
Thelypteris palustris
Fern, royal
Osmunda regalis
Huckleberry
Gaylussacia spp.
Wetland Walk
Characteristics
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Labrador tea
Ledum groenandicum
Lambkill (sheep laurel)
Kalmia angustifolium
Larch (tamarack)
Larix larcina
Leatherleaf
Chamaedaphore calyculata
Maple, red
Acer rubrum
Moss, sphagnum
Sphagnum spp.
Mountain holly
Nemopanthus mucronata
Pitcher plant
Sarracenia purpurea
Rhodora
Rhododendron canadense
Rose, northeastern
Rosa nitida
Sedge
Carex sp.
Spruce, black
Picea mariana
Sundew
Drosera sp.
Sweet gale
Myrica gale
Willow, bog
Salix pedicellaris
Winterberry
Ilex verticillata
Wetland Walk
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Themes for Wetland Walk (tentative list)
1)
Types of wetlands.
2)
How wetlands form.
3)
Ecological significance of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing root-nodule bacteria in speckled
alder and sweet gale.
4)
Role of glacial history in wetland formation.
5)
Boreal location of bogs.
6)
Why decomposition in peatlands is slow.
7)
The moat (lagg) of the bog.
8)
Hummocks and hollows of the bog mat.
9)
Adaptations of bog plants allow them to survive there but make them poor competitors
elsewhere.
10) Role of sphagnum moss as ‘nutrient sponge’ and ‘keystone’ species.
11) Role of leatherleaf and bog rosemary as ‘skeleton of the mat’.
12) Water-saving adaptations of bog plants.
13) Mycorrhiza: fungal symbionts of ericaceous plants
14) Carnivorous plants of the bog.
15) Uses of peat moss.
16) Why bogs are threatened.
Wetland Walk
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Some Definitions
Bog: a peatland that is ombrotrophic, i.e., receives its mineral nutrients primarily from
atmospheric precipitation, and thus is nutrient poor. Because there is little flushing action,
dissolved waste products accumulate and pH is very acidic. Dominant plants are
sphagnum moss and ericaceous shrubs with scattered conifers. Typically poor in species
diversity.
Ericaceous: plants belonging to the heath family, characterized as being able to tolerate
extremely acidic, nutrient poor growing conditions. Many, but not all, members are
evergreen. Examples include blueberry, rhododendron, lambkill, leatherleaf, etc. Most, if
not all, ericaceous species have been shown to be associated with mycorrhizal fungi.
Fen: a peatland that is minerotrophic, i.e., receives its mineral nutrients from ground water
along with atmospheric precipitation, and can vary greatly in nutrient levels. Because
there is some flushing action, dissolved waste products do not accumulate and pH is
slightly acidic to slightly basic. Dominant plants are sedges in open fens; shrubs and
trees in wooded fens. Typically rich in species diversity.
Marsh: wetland of predominantly mineral (non-organic) soil with emergent perennial
herbaceous plants such as grasses, sedges, and cattails. Annually large proportion of
primary production is exported from ecosystem.
Mycorrhiza: a mutual association in which the mycelium of a fungus colonizes the roots of a
seed plant. The association benefits the plant by allowing it to grow in a nutrient poor
environment where it otherwise would not be able to grow.
Peatland: wetland of predominantly organic soil (peat) composed of plant remains in various
stages of decomposition. Annually a small proportion or none of primary production is
exported from ecosystem. When dried, peat will burn when ignited, i.e., can be used as
fuel source.
Swamp: wetland of predominantly mineral (non-organic) soil with perennial woody plants such
as trees and shrubs. Annually large proportion of primary production is exported from
ecosystem.
Wetland: land where water table is at, near, or above soil surface long enough during the
growing season to promote the formation of special (hydric) soils, which support the growth
of hydrophytes (special water-loving plants)
Wetland Walk
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