Wetlands

Aim: To learn about the wetland ecosystem.


                                                                                        Wetlands

What is a Wetland?

Any land consisting of marshes or swamps and land that is saturated with water.                                                                

4 different kinds of wetlands

1. Marsh - wetland that is dominated by plants.
2. Swamp - an area of low-lying, uncultivated ground where water collects.
3. Bog - an area of wet muddy ground is very soft.
4. Mire / fen - a stretch of swampy or boggy ground.

Common wetland plants in NZ

Name	Image	Purpose
EG: Swamp weed		Food for fish and birds Home for fish and birds Cleans the water
Bullrush		1. Homes for fish 2. Can be used for making nest
Harakeke		1. Birds can eat the seeds 2. Can be used to make baskets 3. Spiders can make nest in the harakeke
Raupo		1. Was used for Poi making 2. Used for weaving
Toitoi		1. Can be used to make baskets and mats 2. Can also be used for lines on walls

Name	Image	Food
Duck		bird food corn greens frozen foods
Frog		Meat Insects Flies Animal
Butterfly		Foods that dissolve in water Nectar tree sap, dung, pollen, or rotting fruit sodium for salt and sweet
Grey Heron		Fish Amphibians small mammals insect
Dragonfly		insects gnats, mayflies, flies and mosquitoes butterfly, moths and bees
Fish		worms and shrimp frozen foods and pre-packaged food Flakes, granules and pellets

Ecosystems.

Definition: An ecosystem is a large community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes) in a particular area. 

Food chain:

Create your own food chain from the Kyle park wetlands below. Use the food chain above as an example.






Food  Webs:

Definition: A food web is similar to a food chain but larger. A food web uses arrows to show the energy relationships among organisms. Food webs show how plants and animals are connected in many ways. 





Create your own food web of Kyle Park using:

Algae
Dragonfly
Tadpole
Frog
Fish
Grey Heron