Ecotone

Take a moment to survey your surroundings. On one side of the boardwalk you will see pine trees, palmetto and trees with wide trunks. On the other side, you will notice lots of ferns, that give way in the distance to cypress trees and other aquatic species. This area is called an ecotone. This means it is where two different habitats come into contact. The pines and palmettos are upland species, the ferns and cypress are wetlands species. Uplands and wetlands are defined by the soil type, plants and animals that are found there. What do you think the soil is like in a wetland? Can you spot any animals using this wetland as you enjoy your walk?