CONGAREE SWAMP - A WETLAND ECOSYSTEM
 

CONGAREE SWAMP LAB OBJECTIVES:

I.      The student will become familiar with a wetland ecosystem and its diversity.

2.      The student will be able to list 8 vital functions of a wetland ecosystem.

3.      The student will be able to list the biotic and abiotic factors associated with wetlands.

4.          The student will be able to list the reasons why the Congaree Swamp is a National Monument and

receives protection status.

5.      The student will be able to define the term "Biosphere Reserve".

6.      The student will be able to assess the effects of Hurricane Hugo as well as fire and floods.

7.      The student will observe and record differences in vegetation as a result of elevation.

8.      The student will be able to draw a diagram showing the relationship between bacteria, fungi, plants

and animals in the swamp.

 

Directions: From Beltline campus, take South Beltline to Bluff Road. Turn left onto Bluff Road and

go 8.6 miles then turn right on Old Bluff Road. Go about 5.5 miles and turn right at the sign for the

Congaree National Monument. Following the winding driveway to the visitor's center.

 

From Airport campus, take 1-26 towards Charleston then take exit #116 to 1-77 north. From 1-77 take

exit #5 to Bluff Road. Turn right on Bluff and go about 8.5 miles down Bluff Road and turn right on Old Bluff Road.

Go about 5.5 miles on Old Bluff Road and turn right at the sign onto the driveway for the Congaree National Monument.

Park at the visitors’ center.

 

Note:

There can be mosquitoes in the fall and spring. Dress in casual clothes and tennis shoes and bring bug spray.

 

An Introduction to the Con2:aree Swamp

The Congaree Swamp is a wetlands ecosystem that results from the Saluda River joining with the Broad River to form the Congaree River. The swamp is 22,000 acres of floodplain forest including 11,000 acres of old growth forest. This land used to be the hunting club of Marion Burnside and it got protection when it was included in the National Park

System in 1976. The swamp was opened to the public in 1983 and in its first year had 110 visitors. By 1992, visitation had increased to 40,000 and by 2000 it was 95,000. It continues to grow.

 

It has been designated as a National Monument since 1976 because it has the tallest trees on the East

Coast, tremendous biodiversity (200 bird, 24 reptile, 12 bat, 320 plant and 90 tree species), and it has

never been cut. The Congaree swamp is the last significant stand of old growth bottomland forest left on the east coast. It is the same today as it was 1,000 years ago.