Run for the Border

(5th-12th Grade/ 45-60 minutes)

Activity in Brief:

Students will look at the most obvious indicators of wetland/upland borders to identify changes in plant communities and different degrees of wetness.

Objectives:

Students will make observations to infer where boundaries exist, define obvious differences in plant communities, and describe conditions for wetland existence.

Correlation with Science Standards:

Unifying Concepts and Processes - Systems, Order and Organization

Unifying Concepts and Processes – Evidence, Models and Explanation

Unifying Concepts and Processes – Constancy, Change and Measurement

Unifying Concepts and Processes - Form and Function

Science as Inquiry - Abilities to do Scientific Inquiry

Science as Inquiry – Understanding About Scientific Inquiry

Life Science - Characteristics of Organisms

Life Science – Life Cycles of Organisms

Life Science – Organisms and Their Environments

Earth & Space Science – Properties of Earth Materials

Science & Technology – Understanding About Science and Technology

Advance Prep:

None

Materials:

Wetlands Investigation Worksheet (WORD document to print out), clipboard, pencils

FYI:

Zonation of plants is an unusual phenomenon found in fen plant communities. Plants in fens can be grouped into three distinct zones – discharge, sedge mat, and border. These are zones are much like the concentric growth rings in a tree trunk with the discharge zone in the center. Fens in western Iowa have the best examples of the three zonation rings. For more information on zonation and fens see “Managing Iowa Habitats – Fen Wetlands” from Iowa State University Extension.

Procedure:

Warm Up:

• Have students practice distinguishing between pairs of photos or sample plants to determine if the plants are the same or different.

• Discuss the things necessary and preferred for growth by different plants. For example … all plants need sunlight, but some plants need direct sunlight and some plants prefer shade.

• Explain that these are the types of things that will be observed in this activity.

Activity:

• Divide into teams to explore the wetland using the Wetland Investigation Worksheet.

• Summarize and compare information with other groups.

Adapted from: WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands