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.
To learn more about wetlands and their role in geology, explore
these websites:
http://www.isgs.uiuc.edu/sections/wetlands/wetlands-topic.shtml
http://www.igsb.uiowa.edu/Browse/wetlands/wetlands.htm
http://www.mitigationactionplan.gov/