Biology 235, Fall 1997 -- Wetlands

Exam 1

Sept. 29, 1997 Name _____________________

Matching. Directions: in the blank next to each description below, write the letter of the matching term from the list of possible answers below. No term is used twice, not all are used. (2 pts. each)

1. ___ Definition based mainly on waterfowl habitat value

2. ___ Definition which can include substantial areas of tidal influence, up to six meters deep

3. ___ Definition relies on three primary indicators of wetland conditions

4. ___ Large areas of bogs, common in Canada

5. ___ Marshes which are somewhat salty

6. ___ wetlands along the coast; water levels rise and fall predictably

7. ___ wetland type common in the glaciated prairie regions

8. ___ wetland with emergent herbaceous vegetation (US); probably most common type

9. ___ wetland with woody vegetation (US)

10. ___ wetland along stream/river

11. ___ wetland with woody vegetation, but not trees

12. ___ the "river of grass" in southern Florida

13. ___ the "signature" of a wetland, indicates periods of standing water, water depth, etc.

14. ___ groundwater is entering wetland more than leaving

15. ___ groundwater is leaving wetland more than entering

Possible answers:

Multiple Choice: circle the letter next to the correct answer. (3 pts. each)

16. . Which animal can be important builders of wetlands?

a. beaver

b. blue heron

c. nutria

d. wood duck

17. Which animal can be important destroyers of wetlands?

a. beaver

b. blue heron

c. nutria

d. wood duck

18. The percent of wetland area lost (compared to pre-settlement) in West Virginia is

a. 10

b. 24

c. 53

d. 78

19. The percent of wetland area lost (compared to pre-settlement) in the "Lower 48" states is

a. 10

b. 24

c. 53

d. 78

20. One of the reasons many human cultures have negative attitudes toward wetlands is...

a. The "pickled" (preserved) remains of bodies in peat

b. The high productivity of the plant community

c. The movie "Swamp Thing"

d. bryophytes are often a dominant plant

Fill in the blank with the correct word(s). (1 pt. per blank)

23. Primary legal protection for wetlands in the US is provided by Section ________ of the federal _____________________ Act. These "wwaters of the US" are administered and regulated by which federal government agency? ________________ (2 pts.)

24. The precipitation (P) falling on a wetland may not all reach the water or soil surface; a process known as ___________________ may reduce the net precipitation (P_n). One type of wetland that may be significantly affected is ________________ .

25. Surface inflows to a wetland are potentially of two different types. ________________ enters the wetland by flowing across the ground surface around the wetland. _______________ flow enters in a ditch, swale, stream, etc. It can be quantified using the _________________ equation if the roughness, slope, and hydraulic radius are known.

26. The movement of groundwater into, through, or out of a wetland can be described by a principle known as _________________ (2 pts.) which is given by the equation G = k ^. A ^. S. The "hydraulic gradient term refers to the ____________ of the water table. The "K" term is the _______________________ which is determined by the properties of the soil, such as ________________ (2 pts.)

Short Answer: a short list, one to several sentences of description, a diagram, etc. 10 pts. each.

27. What are the three primary indicators of a wetland by the US legal definition? One is directly biological, and uses Indicator Status categories. Give the categories, and their definitions.

28. Give a hypothetical water budget for a marsh. Use values you think are reasonable. Include a diagram of the overall budget, the symbols for each of the elements of the budget and write them out in equation form.

29. Briefly describe the ecological status of wetlands. Why are they unique? Are they "aquatic" or "terrestrial"? Why are they of interest to ecologists? Any important studies in wetlands? 

32. What are the following field observations "telling you" about the hydrology of a site? Be as specific as you reasonably can.

a. Part of a path includes plywood sheets on a 2 x 4 frame; bare, dark soil below.

b. Roots from the stems of plants several cm above the soil, debris hanging from wire fence nearby, rings of discoloration on a nearby tree; all at a similar elevation.

c. Smell of "rotten eggs"