A Visit to Triangle Lake Bog and Herrick Fen

Triangle Lake Bog - November 2013

Herrick Fen - November 2013

 
Located an hour south of Cleveland, there are two beautiful wetlands: Triangle Lake Bog and Herrick Fen. Both of these properties are examples of endangered habitats. Most of Ohio’s wetlands have been destroyed by development, while the wetlands that are left are continually threatened by eutrophication and suburbanization. Eutrophication threatens wetlands with large increases in nutrients from fertilizer run offs. The large inflow of nutrients disrupts the delicate balance of these systems.

Triangle Lake Bog - Early September 2013

Triangle Lake Bog was formed when glaciers moved across Northern Ohio approximately 25,000 years ago. As the glacier retreated it left behind heavy ice blocks that broke off and settled into the soil. After the ice melted, the depression filled in forming a kettle lake. The remnants of this kettle lake can be seen in the middle of Triangle Lake Bog. Bogs are a unique type of wetland because they lack water inflow and outflow; they are fed only through precipitation. The lack of water flow causes bogs to be acidic and low in oxygen. Nutrient levels are low in bogs because decomposition is slowed by the acidity and anoxic conditions. These traits that are characteristic of bogs make them the home of a number of unique species. 

Herrick Fen - Early September 2013

Herrick Fen was formed at approximately the same time as Triangle Lake Bog on top of a large gravel deposit left behind by the glacier. Fens are continuously fed by groundwater and water drainage from the surrounding areas. Because the fen has constant water influx, the soil is considered hydria (saturated and sometimes anoxic). Nutrient levels in fens are higher than in bogs because the mixing water has higher oxygen content and encourages more decomposition. Fens are also home to some of the special species found in bogs.

Tamarack is a common tree found in bogs and fens

Grass of Parnassus: a rare plant found at Herrick Fen

The field trip to visit these Ohio wetlands was filled with excitement and new discoveries, ranging from algae/diatom collections to discovering and learning about unique plant species and their preferred environments. Plants that were the center of attention during the trip were carnivorous plants. Due to their low nutrient environment, these plants have developed unique methods of acquiring nutrients. These plants compensate by consuming and breaking down animals such as ants and spiders as well as different types of protozoa. They each have a different method of trapping their prey. The types of carnivorous plants that were observed at Triangle Lake Bog and Herrick Fen were pitcher plants, sundews and bladderworts.

Close-up of the digestive juices in the pitcher plant

One of the most common carnivorous plants found in Ohio bogs are pitcher plants (Family: Sarraceniaceae). They are characterized by folding their leaves like a cup and forming a pitcher. The pitcher contains a sweet nectar juice that attracts many victims but at the same time has digestive properties. These victims crawl into the pitcher and once trapped, are unable to climb out. Over time, they are digested by the enzymes in the nectar juice and consumed by the plant. 
 

Pitcher plants at Triangle Lake Bog

Sundews (Family: Droseraceae) are carnivorous plants that are characterized by having specialized tentacles. The tentacles contain a gel like substance that will attract prey such as fruit flies, gnats and ants. After a prey insect gets stuck on the tentacles, the tentacles will wrap around the insect to prevent escape. The trapped animals will be dissolved by the enticing mucus and then absorbed as nutrients. 
 

Sundews grow in beds of Sphagnum moss

Close-up of Sundew: Red tentacles are visible

Another type of carnivorous plants that can be found in Ohio are bladderworts (Family: Utricularia). These plants are aquatic and are characterized by having a unique trap mechanism, which involves actively pumping water in order to initiate the trap. During contact with prey, a trap mechanism is initiated which will cause the plant to swell up due to active intake of water from the environment and at the same time suck in the prey. Once the prey has been engulfed by the bladderwort, they will be dissolved by the digestive secretions produced by the plant. 

 

Bladderworts (photo credit: plants.usda.gov)

These wetland habitats are home to so many unique plants that this blog is only able to highlight a few of them.  There are more beautiful things to be seen at these nature preserves. It is well worth the drive from Cleveland to visit them. It is important that people  visit these wetlands and appreciate their biodiversity. The general public needs to continue to educate themselves about the importance of these habitats and why they should be protected. 

For more information on these locations, visit:
Herrick Fen 
Triangle Lake Bog

For more information on the plants species above, visit:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/