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ALmom
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| Posted: Sept 05 2007 at 11:56am | IP Logged
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I'm really looking for some really good books that describe the different things like ponds, marshes, etc. What defines them and how are they alike and different? (  See I'm really in need as this is a project for my 10 yo and I have no idea what really defines a pond as opposed to a marsh or ...I think he has some ideas but no real books to use for research purposes. Obviously we will try and visit some of these at some point - pond more likely than a marsh around here) I would like to collect some books that deal with these kinds of things to have on hand to educate myself and serve as a source for research for my 10 yo science fan. A little bit of background knowledge would sure make our nature walks more fun and more productive at the same time.
Janet
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vmalott
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| Posted: Sept 05 2007 at 12:23pm | IP Logged
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Well, we have a small Golden Books Field Guide (about 3x5 size) called Pond Life that is full of information. In the intro there is a discussion about ponds and lakes, and it defines the basic differences between the two. It also states that people in different locations may use different terms, such as "marsh" to describe what the book calls a pond. Clear, right? 
I always think of marshes as being brackish wetlands, the area where salt and fresh water bodies mix, but apparently marshes can be fresh, brackish, or saline. So, that shows you how much I know. 
Anyway, the guide describes the many organisms, plants, insects and animals one may encounter at the pond, which will be helpful when you go out to examine these places.
Valerie
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Valerie
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Jennifer
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| Posted: Sept 06 2007 at 10:57am | IP Logged
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The difference between a pond and marsh is the type of vegetation. A pond has standing water which can be seen with the naked eye. The vegetation will be mostly under water (coon tail) or floating on top (lily pads). A marshy area by nature is wet, but the water is in the soil and moss and not seen. The vegetation will be mainly tag alders, cat tails, wild flowers and lots more. A marshy area can be found at the edge of a pond. In our pond we have floating bogs which essentially are mini marshes. Marshes can also be vast acres of wetlands. I'm writing from Wisconsin where we have the Horicon Marsh, Sandhill Wildlife Preserve, Necedah Wildlife Refuge, all having marsh areas.
Here is a list of references from our home library. Some great and some mediocre at best.
Life in Ponds and Streams (National Geographic)
Where Do They Go? Insects in Winter (Selsam)
The Pond (Armstrong)
Tracks, Scats and Signs (Dendy)
Northwoods Wildlife: A Watcher's Guide to Habitats (Benyus) this resource is awesome if you live in Zone 3 or 4
Turtles and Lizards of Wisconsin (Christoffel)
Wisconsin Wildlife Viewing Guide (Judd) I believe this book is available for other states as well
Oxford Illustrated Science Encyclopedia - Wetlands
Hope this helps you and your son. What an awesome nature study.
Jennifer
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Kelly
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| Posted: Sept 06 2007 at 11:59am | IP Logged
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I loved the Robert Murphy novel, "The Pond", when I was about 13. About a kid, a dog, a pond=---that sort of thing.
Kelly in FL
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ALmom
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| Posted: Sept 06 2007 at 3:43pm | IP Logged
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Thank all of you guys. Jennifer that was just the definition we needed and the list of books - I'll be off hunting for them later today. I have the pond guide that was linked in my amazon to buy basket but have been waiting till I had a few more things in order to get free shipping. It doesn't take long does it . I'm waiting to hear from dh - car had to be towed again, hoping it is one of the two things already fixed so it is under warranty. In any case, I'll know how many I can order once I know what our car situation is. Is there one or two that are just outstanding that should be on the priority list? Thank you so much.
Janet
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Jennifer
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| Posted: Sept 06 2007 at 9:17pm | IP Logged
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Janet, the Pond Life GoldenBook is great; we own that as well. Before buying any books I would check your library. Check out every pond/marsh book they have and see which ones your son keeps going back to. If I have to make recommendations as to the best from my very short list, I would say the Northwoods Wildlife and Tracks, Scat and Signs would be the best. I really like the former because it dives deep into several different habitats and each chapter starts off with
What is a marsh? or What is a pond? or What is a ______?. The readability might be above the average 10 year old. The writing of my knapsack edition is quite small and looks like a lot to digest, but it is a great reference book. The Tracks book has a woodland section and pond section; it is kid friendly.
Jennifer
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ALmom
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| Posted: Sept 07 2007 at 3:46pm | IP Logged
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Thanks Jennifer. I think this 10 yo would tackle the reading level ok - he reads every science book I have in the house including siblings textbooks and my old high school science books. He is reading adult gardening books to research his garden woes. I know it sounds like just what we want as a research resource.
I will have to choose so probably the pond Golden guide and then the other 2 you recommend. I will follow your advice and check the library first - just I've practically given up on our library as it just doesn't seem to have much. In any case that would be a great exercise in library skills.
Thank you so much for helping here.
One question - my ds came to me and said well that sounds just like a swamp so what is the difference between a marsh and a swamp. I looked it up in the dictionary and seems marsh and swamp are the same thing. Am I correct here. If not, we'll try and do a bit more research on our own before asking for further help.
Oh, and my son just informed me that we are in zone 7 so that isn't our area wildlife, I guess. I wonder if there is something like it for our zone or is it worth having even if you don't live in zone 3 or 4?
Janet
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Jennifer
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| Posted: Sept 10 2007 at 8:16pm | IP Logged
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Yes, my understanding is that swamp and marsh are interchangeable. I'm not familiar enough with your zone, so you might want to check your library for nature books or an even better idea is to contact your state department of natural resources. Whenever I've stopped in to ours they have tons of flyers with nature info appropriate to my area. I'm sure your state has something similar.
Jennifer
http://www.camphomeschool.blogspot.com/
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: Sept 10 2007 at 11:15pm | IP Logged
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Ok, here is the deal. A great website to turn to for anything wetland related is here:
Wetland types
Although the terms are often used interchangeable in common usage, marshes and swamps are technically two very different things. While both are wetlands and are frequently inundated by water, marshes are characterized by soft stemmed (grassy) vegetation (think Everglades) while swamps are characterized by woody vegetation (think cypress trees and mangroves).
A pond is actually not a wetland, but a true aquatic habitat, though you will often find wetlands surrounding ponds.
Does that help at all?
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ALmom
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| Posted: Sept 12 2007 at 12:37am | IP Logged
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Yes, and our resident tutor explained that marshes are near the sea and thus saltwater and that while swamps can be saltwater, they are inland. Thanks for the website link. I'm slowly learning but have yet to actually place my order. I'd better get busy but will pass on your info and the website. Thanks so much.
Janet
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MaryM
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| Posted: Sept 12 2007 at 1:10am | IP Logged
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Marshes & Swamps by Gail Gibbons could be used for younger children though would likely be a little young for the 10 yr. old.
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4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Topic: book recommendations please
