The Ecology class of 2001 studied the new wetlands
of the University of Cincinnati’s Clermont College. There were several
experiments that were done on the new wetlands. The protocols that
were used can be found at http://biology.clc.uc.edu.
The new wetlands were mapped using a tape
measure, compass, and marker flags. Tape measure was used to measure
the distance between marker flags, a compass was used to determine azimuth,
and data recorded (Carter). The road into the college, the sidewalk
to the auxiliary parking, and the road to the parking lot around the new
wetlands were mapped. A Faunistic survey was performed around the
new wetlands for thirty-five minutes and data collected. Results
were used to reflect the number of organisms per hour (Carter). Shrubs
were counted around the new wetlands using 16 m2 plots.
Shrubs were identified and data collected (Carter). Herbaceous plant
surveys were also performed around the new wetlands using 1 m2
plots (Carter). Environmental factors were observed, including light
intensity (foot-candles), air temperature, soil temperature, relative humidity
and wind velocity (mph). A light meter, sling psychrometer, soil
thermometer and a wind speed meter were used to collect the data needed
for finding environmental factors (Carter). Data was then used to
calculate light intensity (lux or milliphot), using the equation 1 foot
candle = 1.076 milliphot. Relative humidity was calculated using
data from psychrometer, and wind velocity (cm/sec) was calculated using
the equation 1 mph = 44.7 cm/sec (Carter). The new wetlands were
analyzed for water conditions by collecting samples with plankton net.
Water samples were also observed in a Sedgewick-Rafter counter. Organisms
of the new wetlands were identified and recorded (Carter). The water
samples were also analyzed for hardness, acidity, chloride, and dissolved
oxygen. The test were done using 0.01 M HCL, indicator solution,
buret and glassware, pH meter, 0.1 m AgNO3, saturated K2CrO4,
dissolved O2 (DO) meter, and B.O.D (Carter).