Are Wetlands Geological? EarthCache

Geology is seldom mentioned in the context of wetland studies, yet geology plays a critical role in understanding wetland dynamics. Wetlands are places that are regularly inundated or saturated, causing the growth of plants that are specifically adapted to living in wet conditions and the development of characteristic soil features. Wetlands are important because they create products and perform functions for man. Our richest modern soils originally formed in wetlands that were drained for farming. Valuable resources such as coal and peat are mined from the deposits of ancient and existing wetlands. Existing wetlands perform many economically and ecologically important functions, such as storing floodwaters, removing sediment and chemicals from surface water, replenishing groundwater, maintaining low flows in streams, providing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, and many others.

Columbia Reservation encompasses 409 acres and hosts a number of created ponds built around waterways near the west branch of the Rocky River. 285 acres of the reservation are restored wetlands making it one of Northern Ohio's largest wetland mitigation projects. Hydric soils already present due to the flood plain and close proximity of west branch of the Rocky River helped accommodate the conversion back to wetland. Extensive landscaping was done to build the system of dikes and ponds necessary to create a more consistent environment for wetland plants and animals. These ponds have been constructed in raised tiers, all of which flow back down to the river. It's considered a Class 3 wetland - the most diverse kind. Wetlands are not necessarily just areas of standing water, but can contain areas that become saturated only at certain times of the year. Columbia Reservation has both of these and a range in between., so the views will change depending on the time of year and recent weather conditions.

The first step in claiming a find of this earthcache is to go to the informational signboard at the coordinates listed at the top of the page. Read the signboard and email us the answers to these questions from information on the board:
1. Name one other role wetlands serve besides erosion control.
2. Name one of the amphibians found here at Columbia Reservation and listed on the signboard.

Nearby is a signpost with trails listed. Take the Heron Trail. As you walk along, take notice that the wetland types most visibly featured here are ponds, but look closely to find interspersed marshes, wet meadows, and swamps. These features will change throughout the year. In your email:
3. Report to us the types of wetlands you see on your hike and reasoning behind your choices.

Proceed on the Heron Trail and hike to another signpost at N 41. 18. 472   W 081. 55. 381 and in your email:
4. Name one of the species of ducks on the sign.
5. Include a picture in your post of yourself with the Wetlands Adaptations Sign - be careful to not get the information for question 4 in the shot.