What kinds of plants like acid water?

There are very few plants that prefer acid conditions in creeks. However, some plants such as cattails can help to change the chemistry of the water by the uptake of pollutants and trapping of materials with their root systems. These wetland plants work in cooperation with bacteria in the soil to help improve the condition of the water. Today scientists are testing many of these plants to see how they are able to do this. By learning more, scientists are able to create new environments, such as wetlands, to help improve conditions in acid streams.

Tools and things you will need

• Gloves
• Litmus paper
• Magnifying lenses
• Rubber boots
• Small shovel

Note: Use caution, some plants have spines or sticky substances to annoy animals.

What to do?

1. Test the pH of the water with litmus paper. (Is your creek acidic?)
2. Collect, draw, or take photos of some of the plants growing alongside your creek. If you collect plants, only take one. If you find only one plant by your creek, do not collect it. We would prefer that you draw or take pictures of the plants instead.
3. Take any plants that you collect and press them in a phone book between sheets of newspaper.
4. Identify and make a list of these plants.
5. Dig out one or two of the plants to the root, or find their seeds to see if you can get them to grow somewhere else (do not take any plants without permission).
6. Take a field trip to a wetland area.

What did you see?

1. What types of plants grow along the creek?
2. What kind and color of soil did they grow in (hard, soft, squishy, wet, orange, black, or gray)?
3. What equipment did you need to keep the plants alive?
4. What else did you see?

What do you conclude?

1. What information did the plants give you?
2. What are your conclusions? "Write down what you think."