Wetland Science for Children
Wetlands are areas of land where water covers the soil and does not drain well. For years, wetlands were not considered useful or beautiful because they don’t fully drain. However, wetlands are now some of Florida’s most highly appreciated treasures and are extremely vital to our environment. Not only are they a sight to see, but they can provide your child with a rich lesson in science!
Types of Wetlands
There are various types of wetlands, including marshes, bogs, and swamps. Each one has unique characteristics, water, soil, and plants. The soil in marshes and swamps, for instance, have minerals, whereas bogs are low in minerals. Each possesses distinct types of plant life. Here are some of the plant lives can each one produces:
Bogs: Due to its low soil minerals, bogs only grow mosses and a few plants.
Swamps: Swamps mostly include trees.
Marshes: Marshes grow very grassy plants
Benefits of Wetlands
Wetlands are vital to our ecosystem, and many plants and animals call them home. Wetland systems purify polluted water and air, prevent floods, restore water supplies that are underground, provide nesting for migratory birds, and protect shorelines. Throughout history, wetlands were considered invaluable, leading to an increase in habitat loss, resulting in a decline in species like frogs, reptiles, insects, birds, and others.
Engaging Activities
To learn more about wetlands, there are an abundance of educational activities your child can participate in! From a family field trip to the Everglades National Park to at-home projects. The internet is full of resources. YouTube has full episodes of “Bill Nye The Science Guy,” where he goes on-site to show the importance of wetlands. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a list of Wetland Education for students, which includes activities, videos, and educational programs. Additionally, Penn State: College of Agricultural Sciences has a project called “Wetland in a Pan.” All you need is:
modeling clay
a long shallow pan
a sponge
a watering can
a cup of soil
a jar of muddy water
With this activity, your child will learn concepts like how wetlands are a buffer zone between dry land and bodies of water, and how destroying wetlands can cause flooding. Then, he will describe the relationship between precipitation, runoff, and wetlands, and relate the importance of wetland functions to our daily lives.
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