Wetlands in Alberta


Wetland ecosystems are located in many parts of the world, including over 20% of Alberta. However, some wetland ecological systems do not occur here. For example, we do not have alligator infested swamps here—thank goodness! We do have a few other types of wetlands.


Wetlands are defined as areas of land that have

  • a shallow layer of water
  • waterlogged soil; that is, it is drenched with water
  • various plants, animals, and insects, that are uniquely adapted to their watery homes
  • fresh or salt water (Alberta’s wetlands all contain fresh water.)
  • changing water levels

In this science unit, you will learn about wetland ecosystems in Alberta.

You will be using the Digital Field Trip to the Wetlands resource for many different sections in this unit. Click the Quick Tour button from the Main Menu to find how best to use this resource.

Essential Question

How can we protect our wetlands?

Targets

At the end of this Unit you should be able to answer the following questions: 

1. What is a wetland ecosystem?

1.1 What are various types of wetlands, and why do they matter?

1.2 What plants and animals may live in a wetland site?

1.3 What adaptations improve plant and animal suitability for life in a wetland?

2. What are the roles of various organisms in a food web?

2.1 Who are the producers, consumers, and decomposers in a wetlands habitat?

2.2 What are food chains and food webs?

What human actions affect wetland ecosystems?

3.1 How do changes in one environment affect other environments?

3.2 What human actions have positive effects or negative effects on wetland habitats?

Notebook

Throughout this unit, you will keep a Notebook. The PDF downloads are the pages of your Notebook.

  • Create a folder on your computer or in the cloud titled “Wetlands Notebook”.
  • Save all of the PDF downloads to this folder.

Whenever you see this icon you will be directed to use the Wetlands Notebook folder you created.


Digital Field Trip to Wetlands

In this unit you will often be referred to the Digital Field Trip to Wetlands program to complete many of the activities. If you do not yet have access to this program, click here to read about the Digital Field Trip to Wetlands and how to access it.

As a first step before you explore the Digital Field Trip to Wetlands program, complete the Quick Tour on the main page of the program. See Image 1.

Enter the following username and license code.
Username: Student
License code: 41fud-uaec8-f34cd-wlfpv

Image 1