How to use

Here is your chance to explore wetlands in whatever way you want. There are 5 sections that will help you learn about of the impacts of land use on wetlands.

The Basics

Want to know more information about different areas of a wetland? Head to the basics section and get the scoop.

Experiment

Here is your chance to experiment and try different land uses to see the impact on the wetland.

Challenge

Now it’s time to apply all your knowledge. Complete the challenge and see how you stack up.

Test Yourself

Think you know it all? Test yourself to see if you are the real deal. You have 3 questions to answer. If you are feeling brave and want more add some more questions.

If you're ever unsure of what a word means, check out the definition in the glossary! You can also click on any highlighted word to take you straight there.

Overview

Rebuilding Wetlands provides users an opportunity to explore a science topic in their own way at their own pace. There are five sections that students can access at any time based on how they want to learn and what information they need. To gain knowledge of the topic students can read the basics, check definitions in the glossary, experiment without consequence to learn the techniques of reclamation, apply their knowledge to solve a challenge, and self-assess in the test-yourself section. It provides a way to introduce the science in wetlands but also puts science into perspective with real world examples, challenges students to use technology to further their understanding of science, and engages them with a wide range of activities.

Curriculum

Grade 5 - Wetland Ecosystems
SLE #2 - Understand that a wetland ecosystem involves interactions between living and nonliving things, both in and around the water.
SLE #10 - Identify individual and group actions that can be taken to preserve and enhance wetland habitats.

Algae

A large group of simple plants that don’t flower and have no true stems, roots, or leaves.

Aquatic Invertebrates

All animal forms which live in water (aquatic) and do not have backbones.

Aquatic Zone

The area below the high water mark.

Diversity

A range or many different things.

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their habitat.

Emergent

Plants with roots in water but grow far above the surface.

Groundwater

Water held underground in the soil or in pores of rocks.

Habitat

The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism that provides shelter, food, water and space.

Invasive Species

Species that are brought into an environment that can force out the species that lived there before.

Invertebrates

An animal without a backbone.

Organic Material

Dead material that was once living.

Profile

In wetlands this means the shape and depth of the dip in the land that holds the water.

Reclamation

The process of returning changed land to the way it was or to have the same function that it had before.

Riparian Area

Moist, green, lush areas that border lakes, wetlands, rivers, or streams.

Sediment

Particles that settle to the bottom of a liquid.

Submergent

Plants that grow completely under water.

Upland Habitat

The drier areas of land beyond the riparian zone.

Waterfowl

Ducks, geese, and swans that swim and find food in the water. Any birds that live on or around water are called waterbirds.

Wetland

Wetlands are places where the land is soaked with water long enough to have wet soils, and plants and animals suited to wet areas.