Wetlands Nearby Baitang Lake, Sip, Suzhou - Lab Report Example

Download file to see previous pages As such wetlands are important economic drivers for their unique role in hunting, fishing, recreation, and agriculture. Wetlands also trap floodwaters, feed downstream waters, remove pollution, and provide wildlife habitat as well as help recharge groundwater supplies. More than fifty percent of the wetlands found in the world are known to have disappeared as of 1900. As such a variety of conservation efforts have been put in place to preserve this crucial environmental asset.

Introduction

A wetland is any area that is known to hold water either permanently or temporarily. Some wetlands only hold water for a short period of one or two months during spring while others hold water all year-round. Some of the types of wetlands include fens, marshes, mangroves, swamps, and bogs. The main objective of this trip was to give the students a chance to take note of the wetland ecosystems and urban forest birds in the surrounding area. The trip would thus help the students develop an understanding and appreciation of biodiversity and natural habitats.
Observation

The field trip was carried out on April 11 (Saturday), 2015 between 9:30 AM – 12:00 AM. There were three different wetlands studied during the field trip. The weather was sunny with no clouds which was very favorable for the excursion. The first wetland was H shaped and was identified at 9:30 AM. Located at 31.1941 N and 120.4430 E, it measured 128.8 M in length and 86M in width. The green alga, phragmites, and other insects existed in this wetland. The air temperature at this wetland was 18 C and the water temperature at 16.4 C, and the PH was 8.94. Other measurements taken at this wetland were 0.33 mg ammonia, 1.39mg nitrogen, 271.3 water conductivity, and 9.54 dissolved oxygen. The second wetland was seen at 10:30 AM and was located at 31.1942 N and 120.4440 E.

The length of this wetland was 240 M and the width of 190M. The temperature recorded was 18.5 C for air and 14C for water. Green alga and dragonflies lived in this wetland whose dissolved oxygen level was 6.41 and conductivity at 246.5. The PH was recorded at 10.47 and ammonia and nitrogen levels at 0.47 mg and 2.23 mg respectively. The last wetland was identified at 11:19 AM. Located at 31.1939 N and 120.4441 E, it measured 181.7M in length. The temperature at this wetland was at 24.1 C and the water temperature was at 21C. The depth of the pool was 150cm and had a Ph of 9.4. The dissolved oxygen level was 6.6 and conductivity at 173. Ammonia and nitrogen concentrations were recorded at 0.67mg and 1.88mg respectively. There was evidence of human interference such as dredging and draining.

Discussion
It is easy to differentiate a wetland from other areas as a wetland must be soaked or filled with water at least for some period of the year. Depending upon the type of wetland in a given area, it may have shrubs, grasses, moss or trees. Wetlands are dynamic and highly variable. Wetlands differ on account of the local and regional differences in topography, soils, hydrology, vegetation, climate, water chemistry, and many other factors, for example, human disturbance (Defenders of Wildlife, 2012). They can be saline, brackish or freshwater, coastal or inland, natural or man-made.

Conclusion
Wetlands serve as the link connecting water and land; they also serve as some of the most vital and productive ecosystems around the world. Without such wetlands, many species of plants and animals would become extinct not to mention that pollution and floods would be much worse. ...Download file to see next pages Read More