Teacher's Guide to Wetland Activities - US Environmental Protection ...

Ducks Unlimited's Teacher's Guide
I) IMPORTANCE OF WATER
Water covers more than two thirds of the Earth's surface. It is the basis of all life in this world.
Without it nothing lives, nothing grows.
Water is a home for thousands of animals and plants. It also transports minerals and nutrients that feed
the animals and plants. Water is also vital to human survival. Living things, including humans need
clean water to survive and that is where wetlands play a vital role.
Wetland vegetation acts as a natural filter in many streams, lakes and drainage basins. As water flows
through wetlands, it is slowed down by the vegetation. Suspended solids in the water are trapped by
the stems and root masses, and as much as 80 - 90% of this material may drop out into the wetland or
be taken up by vegetation. When the water flows out of the wetland, or percolates into the
groundwater, it is much cleaner.
Source: Modified from Ontario Children's Groundwater Festival, Teacher's Guide
II) THE WATER CYCLE
Water is a vital element of our environment. It determines the existence of a wetland and is in turn
influenced by the wetland. One of the characteristics of all wetlands is naturally changing water levels.
Depending on the location, the water level may fluctuate with rainfall, run-off and the activities of
wildlife and people.
Water travels from the air to the earth through living organisms and back to the air in a continuous
cycle. There are three major routes that water can follow when it reaches the ground:
1. It can be absorbed into the topsoil. This water may then be used by plants in order to grow.
2. It can seep through the topsoil and collect above the bedrock. This is called groundwater
and is the source of springs and wells.