Wetlands Class: Laboratory

Bio/Env.Sci 235 has a lab component which meets Wednesdays from 3-5 pm in room 204 SC. The lab exercises however will probably run overtime at least once, and will constitute the major part of the "extended field trip" the class will take to Maryland during Forest Festival weekend (see class homepage for details). To compensate, we will not have class during several scheduled lab periods in the latter part of the semester (although I will still be available to meet with you).

Field Trips

Tentative plans include visits to seven wetlands in Elkins and nearby, and four wetlands on the Delmarva peninsula/Eastern Shore of MD. Except for the salt marsh on Assateague Island and the brackish (diluted saltwater) of King's Creek, these are freshwater systems.
Wetland type Location
Emergent marsh (natural) 1-2 local & Seth S.F., MD
Emergent marsh (created) 2 local
Floodplain forest 2 local
Beaver pond/flooded forest W. of Elkins
Peat bog/northern swamp Canaan Valley
Scrub/shrub 1-2 local
Cypress swamp Pocomoke R., MD
Brackish marsh King's Creek, MD
Emergent salt marsh Assateague Is., MD
By making similar observations and collecting similar data in a variety of wetland types across our region, we will be able to use a "comparative approach" to discover the common features of these very different ecosystems. Repeated use of the field skills of the wetland scientists will reinforce learning of the techniques.

Exercises/Lab activities

At each site we visit, we will fill in a data sheet form describing our qualitative and quantitative observations of wetland form and function. These will mainly concern the three primary criteria used to characterize a wetland: hydrology, vegetation, and soils. We will also observe fauna, discuss human use and alteration of the system, and collect water and soil samples for further analysis.

Specific activites/observations this semester will include:

Prepared by Paul Weihe
Last update: Sept. 1, 1997