Blog Post #3 Edmonds Marsh

The major functions of wetlands and estuaries are for the habitats of birds. They are critical rest stops for migrating birds traveling along the great pacific flyaway. Theses ecosystems support both salt water and freshwater plants and animals. The wetlands also help to control the amount of rain that falls to reduce any potential flooding and help filter surface water. Some similarities between Edmonds Marsh and Carkeek Park are that they both contain a lot of debri like leaves and branches. They were both large areas of mud that had the same purposes in the ecosystem. The environment around each of them was very similar as well. Though there were many differences between the two as well. One main difference that I noticed was the levels of water. At Edmonds, there was actually standing water like a pond, but at Carkeek the water seemed to be all soaked up under the surface. The organisms in each area were different as well. There was a lot of greenery at Carkeek but at Edmonds there were also blackberries, snow berries, and many birds.  The organism I saw was the Cattail or Typha latifolia. Its role and interaction in the ecosystem is to provide important habitat and food for many of the marsh animals. Wetland restoration is really important because of their purpose that they serve to ecosystems. They play a role in habitats for many organisms as well as supplies food to many. I think the second approach is the one they are using since animals are going still passing through it. I was quite surprised to hear about the amount of species the Edmonds Marsh houses as well as how the cattails provide food for organisms. My question was that do the dogs create any disturbance to the birds that fly by since they are constantly barking?