Wetlands and Springs

Victoria Niemeir
Gabrielle Rathfon
Jonathan Tyler
Chase Weaver
Rebecca Fuller
Candy Cason
Joseph Qualls
Stephen Graycheck

Mentor: John Smith

Facilitators: Art Stewart, Warren Webb

Due to the geological processes that created the aptly-named Ridge and Valley Province of the Appalachian region, the Oak Ridge Reservation is home to many small wetlands and springs. Further, several wetlands have been constructed on the Reservation. No, a large pond (the P1 Pond) is scheduled to be converted to more wetland-like conditions to reduce ecological risk from contaminated sediments. Students participating in the "Wetlands and Springs" project will observe the P1 Pond, then visit a series of these unique aquatic habitats. They will sample aquatic plants and their associated aquatic invertebrates, determine the kinds of plant and animan species( (i.e.,biodiversity)that live there, and determine if certain kinds of invertebrates are associated with certain kinds of plants. For larger wetlands or springs, plants will be collected at various depths to provide information on the water-depth preferences of selected species. One goal of the Wetlands and Springs project is to compare natural and constructed wetlnads, to see "what work." Information collected in the Wetlands and Springs project also will help investigators who will be involved in the P1 project.

photos of group