Wokil Bam "Aatma Neps".

Wait for the Person Who

2011-01-24T23:31:00.001-08:00

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For YOU.

Himalayan (Nepal) Wetlands focused on Ramsar Site

2010-12-13T18:20:00.000-08:00

Wokil Bam

Wetland Ecology

Prof. Dr. Emily Deaver

Presentation on Himalayan (Nepal) Wetlands

Background:

Nepal is a landlocked country located in South Asia. It is bordered to the north by the China and to the south, east, and west by the India. The total area of Nepal is about 56827 sq mi (147181 sq km) which is smaller than Minnesota (Area, 84,068 sq mi (217,736 sq km) in terms of Area by 1.4 times. The average length of Nepal is about 620 miles running from east to west whereas average breadth of 150 miles from north to south. As we move from south to north the elevation from the sea level going on increasing. The lowest elevation in southern part is 60 meters from sea level and it rises to 8848 meter in north at Mount Everest, the highest peak of the world.

Based on the elevation and the climatic conditions, Nepal is divided in five Physiographical Region as follows;

A)High Himalayas above 4000m- Arctic Cold

B) High Mountain (3000-4000)m – Cold Temperate

C) Middle Mountain (2000-3000) - Temperate

D) Mahabharat (1500 -2000) – Warm Temperate

E) Siwaliks (300 – 1500)m – Subtropical

F) Terai (below 300m) - Tropical

(IUCN- Nepal 2004).

Wetlands called as – Simsar, in Nepali which is derived from Persian Word “Sim” – low grade land and “Sar”- derived from Sanskrit- water. About 0.8 million hector of land is covered by wetlands, including water bodies of different sizes and characteristics (Bhandari, Sharma and McEachern, 1994). As Nepal doesn’t have access to sea or ocean, all the wetlands found in Nepal are freshwater wetlands only. Nepal has several wetland ecosystems. Within these unique topographies of the country we find several types of wetlands as water bodies and water saturated lands which spread throughout the country in all the ecological zones. The distribution and extend of wetlands habitats classes is dependent on the seasonal dynamics of water cycle, which is mostly affected by the high mountains and the monsoon from Bay of Bengal.

Altogether Nepal has more than 2323 high mountain glacial lakes including 202 large glacial lakes which are under threat of being burst. Wetlands of Nepal are also contributed by 6000 rivers and rivulets, more than 560 lakes and ponds, 104 riverine wetlands, marshy lands, paddy fields, water reservoirs, flood plains and some man-made wetlands. Today, I will be presenting general information about the wetlands of Nepal those are listed in Ramsar site. Nepal joined Ramsar Convention on 1988 and was the 40^th country to join Ramsar Convention. Altogether nine wetlands of Nepal are listed in Ramsar Site. There are about 20 to 27 more wetlands which are globally recognized freshwater and are under the protecting of government. The following are the nine Ramsar site of Nepal.

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve:

Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is a freshwater, natural and permanent river system located on the flood plains of Sapta Koshi River. It is a major river system in Nepal that originates in the Central Himalayas. The floodplain is a periodically flooded flat area between the river channel and the terrace or plateau delimiting the plain. The Koshi Tappu floodplain gradually dries up during the post-flooding period, although it remains saturated with water in certain places, while in other places it dries out to a loose sandy, semi-arid condition. The floodplain is also characterized by grassy marshes, oxbow lakes, back swamp lakes and many other depressions which retain water throughout the year.

The existing vegetation consists of diverse physiognomic types as submerged and floating aquatic plants, tall reed stands, seasonally flooded grassland/savannah and structurally complex forest communities in various conditions of spatial arrangements. Among 514 species of plants , Dalbergia sissoo, Bombyx ceiba, Saccharum sp, Phragmites sp., Typha sp., Imperata sp., Valisneria sp., Eichornia sp., Hydrilla sp., Azolla sp., Lotus sp. are common species found in the wetlands.

As the reserve is famous of Bird Sighting, around 325 species of birds are found in this particular wetland which is about 39 % of total bird species found in Nepal. Nepal's last remaining population of wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) inhabits the area and the Gangetic dolphin (Platanista angetica), crocodiles, turtles and snakes are also found in the wetlands. 77 species of butterfly which increases the beauty of wetlands are the resident too. (Wetlands International/ Ramsar, 2009; WWF Nepal/DNPWC, 2008).

Beeshazar Tal.

Beeshazar is a surface and ground water fed natural fresh water oxbow lake located in the buffer zone of Royal Chitwan National Park. It is situated in the inner Terai valley (doon) of central Nepal in between the Mahabharat Mountain Range to the north and the Siwalik Range to the south. Beeshazar and Associated Lakes provide excellent habitat as water holes and corridor for endangered wildlife species, including the critically endangered Whiterumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), endangered Tiger (Panthera tigris), Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornnis) and Fish-eating Crocodile (Gavialis angeticus),vulnerable Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata ), Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus), Broad-snouted Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) and Pallas’s Fish-eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus). The aquatic vegetation in the lake is represented by extensivecoverage of floating leafed species mainly Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Water Chestnut (Trapa bispinosa) followed by Evening Primrose (Ludwigia adscendens). It is home for 273 bird species,60 are wetland species and 17 fish species. (Wetlands International/ Ramsar, 2009; WWF Nepal/DNPWC, 2008).

Ghodaghodi Lake Area

Ghodaghodi is a natural freshwater oxbow lake with and area of 2563 ha on the lower slopes of Siwalik. The lake is fed by direct precipitation during the monsoon season and by surface flows from the watershed area, ground water springs and small streams. Water depth varies from 1-4 m. Ghodaghodi Lake and associated thirteen lakes support critically endangered Red-crowned Roofed Turtle (Kachuga kachuga), the endangered Tiger, Leopard (Panthera pardus), and Three-striped Roof Turtle (Kachuga dhongoka), and the vulnerable Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata), Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra), Barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii), Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) and Broad-snouted Crocodile.Threatened plant species include the endangered Orchid (Aerides odorata), religiously important and threatened Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), and rare Wild Rice (Hygrorhiza aristata). They support six threatened bird species. The 149 include Critical: White-rumped Vulture and Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris); Vulnerable: Lesser Adjutant and Indian Spotted Eagle (Aquila hastata); and Near threatened: Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) and Ferruginous Duck. The resident population of Cotton Pigmy-goose (Nettapus coromandelianus) makes up nearly one percent of the total Asian population. (Wetlands International/ Ramsar, 2009; WWF Nepal/DNPWC, 2008).

Jagadishpur Reservoir.

Jagadishpur Reservoir was constructed for irrigation purpose and is harnessed by rock-fill dike. Jagadishpur Reservoir provides shelter for an assemblage of some threatened species of conservation importance. These include plants such as endangered Serpentine (Rauvolfia serpentina), rare Pondweed (Potamogeton lucens), threatened and religiously important Lotus (N. nucifera), rare Wild Rice (H. aristata), and tallest flying bird species Indian Sarus Crane (Grus antigone). Morning Glory (Ipomea carnea ssp. fistulosa) Cattail (Typha angustifolia). Duckweed, and 25 species of fish are other important organisms. Pollution from different chemicals have affected the biodiversity of the wetlands. (Wetlands International/ Ramsar, 2009; WWF Nepal/DNPWC, 2008).

Gokyo Lake Complex

Gokyo is an oligotrophic lake series in the Everest region located at altitude of 4734 meter with an area of 7,770 ha. The water is fed from the adjacent glaciers and it is the world’s highest freshwater lake system. Gokyo and Associated lakes support a number of threatened species, such as the Kutki plant (Neopicrorhiza scrophulariifolia), the Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), the Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), Wood Snipe (Gallinago nemoricola), endemic species like the flowering plant Kobresia fissiglumis, and many important birds like Ferruginous Duck and Demoiselle Crane (Grus virgo). Musk deer and Brahminy Ducks are important fauna of this wetland. This Ramsar site is a vital source of water for downstream communities. (Wetlands International/ Ramsar, 2009; WWF Nepal/DNPWC, 2008).

Gosainkunda Complex

Gosaikunda is an alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake series with alpine meadows, bogs, lakes/ponds, streams, wet steep slopes creating a unique and representative wetland in the high Himalayan about 4380 meters with an area of Area 1030 ha and holds about 1.472 million cubic meter water. Phytoplankton 1,548 units/ml. (6 m. depth) and Zooplankton were found 6.4x106 in./m3 (20 m depth). Gosainkunda and Associated Lakes support endangered and vulnerable species of fauna and flora. Wetlands birds recorded in Gosaikunda are Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) and Common Teal (Anas crecca). This site is one of the most important sites for collection of type specimens of plants for botanical purpose including 100 species of flowering plants with threatened and endemic species. (Wetlands International/ Ramsar, 2009; WWF Nepal/DNPWC, 2008).

Rara Lake

Rara Lake and adjacent areas have developed unique floral and faunal assemblages with a number of rare and vulnerable faunal and floral species. The wet alpine pasture, moraines, and damp stream banks along the lake area are the natural habitats for endemic species of plants. The endemic frog Rara Paha (Paa rarica) is found at only one other location in the Central region, and three endemic species of Snow Trout - Asala Fish (Schizothorax macropthalus, S. nepalensis, and S. raraensis), are found only here out of eight endemic fish species of Nepal. It is the habitat and resting site of winter visitor water birds such as Gadwall (Anas strepera), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), Common Teal, Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula), Common Golden Eye, Common Merganser (Mergus merganser), Common Coot (Fulica atra), and Solitary Snipe (Gallinago solitaria).The Coliforms bacteria are present in the water so it is not suitable for drinking purpose. (Wetlands International/ Ramsar, 2009; WWF Nepal/DNPWC, 2008).

Shey- Phoksundo

Phoksundo Lake, its alpine meadows, and bogs provide habitat for a number of rare and vulnerable plants and animals, including the Snow Leopard (U. uncia), Alpine Musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) and Grey Wolf (Canis lupus). About 155 species of flowering plants have been recorded from the catchments including threatened species N. scrophulariifolia, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Dioscorea deltoidea, Aconitum spicatum, Nardostachys grandiflora, Podophyllum hexandrum and Megacarpea polyandra (Wetlands International/Ramsar, 2009; WWF Nepal/DNPWC, 2008).

Mai Pokhari

Mai Pokhari wetland lies in the eco-tone of Schima- Castanopsis and Oak-Laurel vegetation providing habitat for significant epiphytic orchids as well as for protected species such as White-rumped Vulture, Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) and Eurasian Otter (L. Lutra), and endemic species like Hariya Cheparo (Japalura variegata), moss Sphagnum nepalense. It is the corridor for most of animals migrating seasonally. It is oligotropic and recharged by the rain water and natural springs. Invasion of exotic Japanese Pine and goldfish in water shed has adversely affected the indigenous floral and fauna species.

Hydrology:

The Glacial and high Altitude wetlands have different hydrology then low land wetlands. The snow melt, precipitation and ground springs are the main inputs where as downstream run off, evapotranspiration are major output of water. Almost all the high altitude wetlands are Ombrotrophic. Most of them are deep lakes with water present throughout the year.

Streams and river input, flood overflow, ground water and precipitation are major inputs source of water in low land wetlands. The evapotranspiration and ground run off are outputs for the water from wetlands.

Physico- Chemical Properties

In the high altitude wetlands of Nepal, it was reported that the dominance of calcium among cations and low chloride and very low phosphorous (Jha 2008). The more dominance of calcium was found due to the limestone rock plate tectonic setting. The amount of nitrate concentration found in wetlands is also very low. The pH of these wetlands is ranges from 7.3 to 8. Wetlands are characterized by low dissolved oxygen and low nutrients content (Gurung, Sharma and Sharma 2009). So most of the wetlands are Oligotrophic to Ultraoligotrophic. The slow decomposition of organic matter, favor peat formations as the temperature is also low.

In the low land wetlands, almost all the water qualities measurement are variable from season to season as the water in those wetlands have to flow a long way from mountain to low wetlands which changes qualities by addition of some pollutants or absorption of water content by different plants and animals. Mostly are with high nutrients content and pH ranges from 6 to higher. Phosphorus and nitrate changes with the change in water amount present in wetlands and the flooding season.

Threats to Wetlands

Succession-Wetlands are also subject to this succession; as autochthonous organic matter accumulates and fills up the basin, the vegetation changes gradually from one dominated by herbs to that comprising woody species and also in-flowing sediments may alter the water regimes and turn the wetlands slowly into dry uplands. Vegetative succession in the wetlands poses weed infestation. Many wetlands are being invaded by weeds and shrubs such as Ecihhornia crasspies, Aeschynomene sps, Ipomoea sp etc.

Pollution is a very common problem in wetlands. The sites area being polluted from domestic sewage, industrial effluents, pesticides and fertilizer. Industrial waste disposal, though a serious problem is being easily ignored.

Dam construction has also posed serious threats to the biodiversity maintenance. This problem can be observed in dam site at Karnali River. The Gangetic dolphin in Karnali River easily crosses the dam to India in the downstream. But due to dam, the gone dolphins are unable to return to the upstream. Overfishing, overgrazing, over water harvesting and harvesting of plants materials like any other human activities pose threats to the wetlands resources. The Dam constructed by India near by the boarders block the free flow of water and creates flooding.

Siltation is major threat to the wetlands. Siltation effects result in downstream due to deforestationin upstream and also due to erosion flat cultivation practice. Heavy siltation with more decaying organic materials and some soil was observed in all parts of the lake nearer to the shores of lake.

Population pressure- wetlands are increasingly threatened by a spreading population most of whom depend on agriculture for livelihood. Wetlands are often drained or reclaimed for agriculture, industrial and urban use, particularly in the more developed central region of the country. The modification of land-use is particularly noticeable in the Terai where migrants have pushed population growth rates up to nearly 4 percent. This poses a serious problem because the Terai also has the greatest diversity of wetlands-the Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve alone has 17 wetland types. Of 163 Terai wetland sites inventoried by the IUCN in 1998, 43 percent had suffered some degree of drainage

Climate change and its impacts on wetlands in Nepal currently poorly understood. Climate change has direct impact on water resource and species and indirect impacts due to water demands from people. So, Nepalese wetlands are in verge of extinction, timely and properly generated conservation plan can save them from being history. Along with climate change the glacial snow is also melting down which might result in the burst of glaciers anytime.

Conservation of Wetland

Nepal showed its commitment to wetlands conservation by signing Ramsar Convention in 1988. After 1988 many national policies, rule and regulations have been implemented to conserve the wetlands. Looking at the present situation of wetlands of Nepal, it can be said that Nepal has satisfactory pace in wetland conservation. Government of Nepal has been working with many NGOs and INGOs and many program are being organized with involvement of local communities to protect the wetlands.

Citation:

1. Bhandari, B., Shrestha, T.B. and McEachern. 1994. Safeguarding Wetlands in Nepal:

Proceedings of the National Workshop on Wetlands Management in Nepal. IUCN-

Nepal,

Kathmandu, Nepal.

2. G

urung, Smriti, Subodh Sharma and Chhatra Mani Sharma. 2009. A Brief review on

Limnological Status of High Altitude Lakes in Nepal. Journal of Wetland Ecology Vol. 3,

pp 12-22.

IUCN Nepal (2004). A Review of the Status and Threats to Wetlands in Nepal. IUCN

Nepal, K

athmandu.

Jha, S. 2008. Status and Conservation of Lowland Terai Wetland in Nepal. Our

Nature,

Vol.6

, pp. 67-77.

Kafle, Gandhiv and Isidro T Savillo. 2009. Present status of Ramsar sites in Nepal. International Journal of Biodiversity Conservation Vol. 1 No. 5, pp. 146-150.

Okino T, Y Satoh. 1986. Morphologym Physics, Chemsitry and Biology of Lake rara in West Nepal. Hydrobiologia, 140: 125-133.

Siwakoti, M. 2006. An Overview of Floral Diversity in Wetlands of Terai Region of Nepal. Our Nature Vol. 4, pp. 83-90.

Wetlands International/Ramsar (2009). http://ramsar.wetlands.org. Ramsar Sites Information Service, Wetlands International and Ramsar Convention Secretariat.

WWF Nepal/DNPWC (2008). www.wetlandinventory.org.np. WWF Nepal and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Study of Seasonal Variations in Water Quality and Vegetation in a Shallow Wetland at Independence Park, Marshall, Minnesota.

2010-12-12T20:49:00.000-08:00

Study of Seasonal Variations in Water Quality and Vegetation in a Shallow

Wetland at Independence Park, Marshall, Minnesota.

Wokil Bam

Environmental Science Program, Southwest Minnesota State Unversity

Abstract:

Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic system where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service). The physical and chemical factors of water in wetlands are changed with change in environmental factors and human activities. The purpose of this project is to observe the seasonal variations in water quality and vegetation in a shallow wetland at Independence Park, Marshall Minnesota. Water Quality, in terms of Dissolved Oxygen, Alkalinity, pH, Nitrate, Phosphate, turbidity and temperature were measured throughout September and October weekly using the water testing kit. It was observed that there were some variations in water quality with change in seasons but not a lot. Cattail, Beaked Willow, Marsh Aster and Golden rod were found to be most dominant vegetation. Precipitation and human activities changed the water quality most.

Introduction:

Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic system where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. Wetlands must have one or more of the following three attributes: (1) At least periodically the land supports predominantly hydrophytes, (2) the substrate is predominately undrained hydric soil and (3) the substrate is non-soil and is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing season of each year. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2010). Wetlands are one of the most important ecosystems with high productivity. They are habitat and breading place to many animals and water fowl.

The wetland that I did my research study is located at Independence Park in Marshall Minnesota. The highway 23 passes the park in south. The latitude and longitudinal location of the wetland is North 44^o.4415 and West 95^o.7719. The area of the park is about 51 acres and area of wetland is about 5.82 acres. (National Wetlands Inventory, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 2010). This particular wetland is classified as Type 5 Minnesota Wetland – Shallow Open Water Community (MN DNR ).

The main purpose of the study was to observe the changes in water qualities and surrounding vegetation of the wetland, with change is climatic seasons from September throughout October 2010, at independence park, Marshall, MN.

Figure 1. Study Site with the wetland outlined in red.

Materials and Methods:

The wetland was observed once a week starting September till the end of the October. Water sample from the wetland was used to measure its quality, which was measured in terms of Dissolved Oxygen, Alkalinity, pH, Nitrate, Phosphate, turbidity, Temperature, and the increase and decrease in water level. LaMotte Water testing kit was used to measure its quality. The kit contained Dissolved Oxygen LaMotte Kit Model EDO, Alkalinity LaMotte Kit Model WAT- DR, pH LaMotte Kit Code 5858, Nitrate LaMotte Kit Model NPL, Phosphorus LaMotte Kit Model NPL, Turbidity Kit, Thermometer (^oC). The dissolved oxygen and water temperature were measured on site whereas Alkalinity, pH, Nitrate, phosphate, turbidity were measured in lab once the sample of water was collected. In every observation, change in water level was noted using a simple wooden rode which was placed in wetland and marked with marker during at water level during each visit. Vegetation samples were collected and identified and changes occurred in vegetation were also observed and noted each time. The bottom layer of soil was also observed.

Results:

Hydrology: Hydrology is the water chemistry of the wetland. The sources of input of water in wetland are precipitation, run off from the adjacent parks areas, road, and agricultural field. There are 4 water drainage sources to wetlands which collect the water from the playgrounds, base ball field located at the park. Ground water is another important source of water for this wetland. Evapo-transpiration and ground water runoff are only the source of output of water. Initially at the time of construction the depth of wetland land ranged from 7 to 9 feet but the current depth is unknown thought it is assumed to have variable depth ranging from 2 to 9 feet. Since precipitation is the most significant source of water input, water level at wetland usually changes with accordance with the amount of rainfall it receives. The 6 inches of rainfall which occurred on September 25^th, 2010 increased the water depth by approximately 4.5 feet as reported by the city engineer. When I was out at wetland on September 28^th, water was level was still 2 feet high then normal level. Other than that, I only observed slight variation of one or less than one inch change in water level.

Clay and silt soil were initially present in the bottom. The bottom has been turned to mucky and peaty soil near the cattails and other vegetation due to their decay and decomposition. Sandy and gravels was also found which is considered to be the carry out sediments from the playground, park and road areas by the water.

Animals like crayfish, damselfly, spiders, snail, water mites, and leopard frogs were observed at the wetlands. City Engineer reported the presence of Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Bluegills, Bullheads, Crappie and Perch fishes.

Figure 3. Photo of Wetland taken on Sept 7, 2010.

Different types of vegetation were observed at the wetlands.

Table 1. Vegetation Found in wetland at Independence Park with scientific name and their abundance.

Common Name	Scientific Name	Abundance
Cattail	Typha angustafolia	75%
Beaked Willow	Salix bebbianga	12%
Marsh Aster	Aster simplex	5%
Canadian Golden rod	Solidago canadensis	Many
Stiff Goldenrod	Solidago rigida	Many
Milkweed	Asclepias syriaca	4 to 6 plants
Greyheaded Coneflower	Echinacea purpurea.	Few
Red osier Dogwood	Cornus sericea	Few
Prairie Brome.	Bromus kalmii	Many
Sandbar Willow	Salix sessilifolia	Many
Thistle	Cirsium vulgare	Few
Red Maple	Acer rubrum	12 trees
Cottonwood	Populus deltoides	15 trees
American elm	Ulmus americana	Some small trees
Green Algae	Chlorophyta spp.

The vegetation changes with change in the climatic season which was seen in the wetlands. The leaves of trees began falling and grasses started becoming pale and dry the beginning the end of September when the temperature started dropping down. By the mid October, almost all the trees were bare with no leaves on them and aster, goldenrod, cattail and other small plants started dying off. Trees were the only vegetation that can be seen in wetlands around the beginning of November. Cattal, beaked willow, marsh aster and golden rod were found to be most dominant vegetation. Cattail, willow and aster altogether counted approximately 90 % of the total vegetation found at the wetlands.

Water quality in terms of dissolved oxygen, nitrate, alkalinity and turbidity kept changing during the study time. The following table shows the measurement values for the water quality.

Table 2. Water quality measurements during September and November 2010 at Independence Park Wetland, Marshall, MN.

Date Observed	Alkalinity (mg/l CaCo₃)	pH	Phosphate (mg/L)	Turbidity (JTU)	Temp (^oC)
09/07	148	7.25	0	5	16
09/14	182	7.25	0	5	17.5
09/21	176	7.25	0	5	18
09/28	176	7.5	0.8	15	16.5
10/05	186	7.25	0.6	10	14.5
10/16	192	7.25	0	10	12
10/23	188	7.25	0	10	11.8

The data in the above shows almost constant pH value whereas there was presence of phosphate during the observation on September 28^th and October 5^th. The turbidity was record 15 JTU on September 28^th which was the highest value observed during the research time. On September 28^th and October 5^th, the water quality for the wetland changed a little bit. There was a rainfall of 6 inches which occurred on September 25^th, and this rainfall was most likely responsible for change in water quality.

Figure 4. Amount of oxygen dissolved in water measured in Independence Park Wetland.

Fluctuations in the amount of dissolved oxygen in water are shown by the above figure. The amount of dissolved oxygen usually increases with decrease in the water temperature which is reflected by the graph after September 28^th. Rainfall of more than 6 inches during the week of September 21^st is decreased the dissolved amount of oxygen in water.

Figure 5. Amount of nitrate measured in water at Independence Park Wetland.

The amount of nitrate measured ranged from 3 mg/l to 0 mg/l. The nitrate amount was highest on September 28^th which was the result of runoff added to wetlands by the water from the adjacent agricultural field. The graph of nitrate in water looks the inverse of the graph of dissolved oxygen. When the dissolved oxygen increased in water the amount of nitrate decreased and vice versa.

Discussion:

The water quality at the wetland at Independence Park changed mostly with increase in water level during the rainfall. The water runoff from the adjacent agricultural lands, nearby houses and roads added the chemicals into the wetlands which changed its quality. Nitrates and phosphates were added by runoffs which are usually used in fertilizer. As precipitation was the major source of input, it affected the amount of dissolved oxygen and nitrate in the wetland which is indicated by the data of September 28^th and October 5^th. As the water temperature decreased, the amount of dissolved oxygen increased.

The wetland has been significantly affected by numbers of human activities at the park. The Basketball, Playground Equipment, paved roads present at park increased human activities in the park. Two picnic spots lead to addition of litter and pollutants in wetland. The sand and gravel runoff from park has changed the bottom setting. Only few animals were observed at wetland which is also an affect of increased human activities.

The study of wetland can be done for a long period of time so the actual change of vegetation and water quality with change in climatic season can be more reliable. During the time of research, the precipitation of more than 6 inches brought may changes in wetland. So type of input source also plays significant role in the determination of water quality.

Acknowledgement:

Thank to Dr. Emily Deaver for her assistance throughout the project, to Charles Kost for helping with map and poster and Er. Shane Waterman, City of Marshall for providing information related to this wetland.

References:

Eggers, Steve D., Donald M. Reed. 1997. Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota & Wisconsin. US Army Corps of Engineers. St. Paul, Minnesota.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Technical definition of wetland types in Minnesota”.

www.dnr.state.mn.us/wetlands/types_technical.html.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Wetlands Conservation”.

http://www.fws.gov/policy/660fw2.html. (October 14, 2010a).

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “National Wetlands Inventory”.

http://137.227.242.85/wetland/wetland.html.(Oct 14, 2010b)

Wokil Bam "Aatma Neps".: Effects of Elevation on the Distribution of Tree Species at Camden State Park.

2010-12-12T17:08:00.000-08:00

Wokil Bam "Aatma Neps".: Effects of Elevation on the Distribution of Tree Species at Camden State Park.

Effects of Elevation on the Distribution of Tree Species at Camden State Park.

2010-12-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

Effects of Elevation on the Distribution of Tree Species at Camden State Park.
Bam, Wokil. 2010. Ecology, Science Department, Southwest Minnesota State University.

Abstract:
Vegetation distribution and abundance is affected by a number of environmental factors such as temperature, pH, rainfall, soil moisture and elevation. Just as change of physical conditions with altitude resembles in many respects the variation with latitude, so the decreasing diversity of most species with increasing elevation mirrors in most respects the latitudinal, gradient of species richness (Brown 1988). The purpose of our experiment is to determine if elevation affected tree species at Camden State Park in Southwest Minnesota. Density, dominance, and frequency were calculated by using the Point-quarter method. Each Point-quarter was selected at difference of thirty meter, using random number table. We measured elevation, temperature, moisture and pH of four samples sites along an elevational gradient. We found five different species of trees with Sugar maple being the most frequent and Basswood the least. Sugar maple dominated the lower elevation. Bur Oak and Ironwood had higher density in the upper elevation. In conclusion we found that elevation had an effect on tree species distribution and abundance in Camden State Park.

Introduction:
The distribution and abundance of vegetation are affected by a number of environmental factors such as temperature, pH, rainfall, soil moisture, landscape and elevation. Just as change of physical conditions with altitude resembles in many respects the variation with latitude. So the decreasing diversity of most species with increasing elevation mirrors in most respects the latitudinal, gradient of species richness (Brown 1988). In terrestrial habitats, variation in species diversity along gradients of elevation and available soil moisture are almost as general and striking as latitudinal variation (Brown and Gibson 1983). Climatic factors such as temperature, moisture, precipitation, wind direction and speed which ultimately affect distribution and growth of trees are also influenced by elevation. Soil physical and chemical properties change with increasing elevation as well. In general, soils at higher elevation in ever-wet mountains (e.g., in montane forests) tend to be more acidic and have higher organic matter levels and more extreme nutrient deficiencies (e.g., N, P, K, Ca) than soils in adjacent lowlands (Burnham, 1975). The change is soil physical and chemical factor is considered to be one of most important factor to change vegetation.

Altitude affects the types of plants that can survive. For example, in the mountains, there is a gradient between grasslands at low altitudes, forests a little higher up, subalpine forests above that, and then finally alpine zones at the highest zones. The same gradient occurs traveling south to north as we pass from grasslands to boreal forests to arctic tundra.

The elevation goes on increasing as we more from south to north in Camden State Park which may gives us an idea about the change in vegetation density. The purpose of our experiment was to determine if elevation affected tree species, at Camden State Park in Southwest Minnesota.

Material and Methods:
We conducted the field study on September 26, 2010. The study site, Camden State Park lies in Southwestern Minnesota highland prairie approximately 12 miles far away from Southwest Minnesota State University. The latitude and longitudinal location of the park North 44°22′4″ and West 95°55′29″. The park is a basically a wooded forest valley which rare to be in Southwestern Minnesota. The lowest elevation we started collecting the data is 418 meter high from sea level and the highest elevation is 458 meter from the sea level. During the last Ice Age, glaciers covered the shale and sandstone bedrock of this area with layers of mixed rock, gravel, sand clay, which together are known as till. Where the glaciers ended their advance or held steady, the till piled up into long, high ridges called moraines. Camden lies atop the Altamont moraine, the second highest and most eastern moraine in the Choteau. Water draining and flowing off the land cut into the till and carved out the Redwood River Valley (MN DNR 2010). The Redwood River passes though the park.

Figure 1: Camden State Park and the study site. (Source: Modified from ESRI Data).

Figure 1 is the satellite view of Camden State Park and Figure 2 is the enlarged map of the study site. The elevation increases as we travel from east to west at our study site. We used GIS and GPS to locate our sample site and later in GIS laboratory we mapped those points and found out the elevation. The red dots in figure 2 represent the sample site we used for our data collection.

Red maple, yellow maple, gold maples, basswoods, green ash, cottonwoods, hackberry, ironwood and other prairie grasses are the most dominant vegetation type found at Camden State Park. In our experiment we focused only in tree species such as sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana), bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) , green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and Basswood (Tilia americana).

We used the point quarter technique to estimate tree density (Cox, 2002). Each point quarter was located at difference of 30 m apart by using random number table. A total of 14 point quarters were obtained across the elevations which were later grouped in four specific clusters (A, B, C and D) to nearest altitude. Cluster A represents lowest elevation, cluster B mid elevation, cluster C mid higher elevation and cluster D top elevation.

Figure 2. Point to plant distances and plant diameters in each of four quadrants (Source: Cox 2002).

Density was calculated by using the following formula:
Relative Density = (Individuals of a species)/ total individual of all species X 100
Density = (Relative Density of a Species X total density of all species) / 100

The dominance was calculated using the following formula:
Dominance = density of species X average dominance value of species.

Frequency was calculated as:
Frequency = (number of points at which species occurs)/ total no. of points sampled (Cox 2002).

Soil temperature of each experimental site was measured at each site during the time of experiment. The soil water content was measured in terms of gravimetric water content θg of each sample site (Jury et. al. 1991). We collected the soil from the entire sample site and brought to the lab where it was weighed on the same day. We kept the sample soil in oven at 105 oC for 24 hours in beakers covered with aluminum foil. The soil was placed out of oven the next day and was left in open lab to cool it down still covered with aluminum foil so that it didn’t absorb the atmospheric moisture. The next day, soil samples were reweighed to find out the dry weight. The formula to calculate moisture content is:

θg = (mass of moist soil – mass of dry soil)/ mass of dry soil
θg = mass of water in soil/ mass of dry soil. (Jury et. Al. 1991).
We used the dried soil obtained after measuring moisture content was used to measure the soil pH. The soil was crushed into 0.2 mm size and the solution of 25 ml dilute water and 25 gm soil (in ratio of 1:1) was made. We used digital pH probe to measure the pH of solution which was the pH of soil.

Results
We grouped all sample sites into the specific clusters (A, B, C and D) according to nearest altitude. There was not much difference in elevation (cluster A 418 – 426 m, cluster B 431 – 443 m, cluster C 449- 453 m and cluster D 456 – 457 m) and trees species found were also similar. We then averaged values for the following physical factors: pH, temperature and moisture content (table 1) according to nearest ones. Soil temperature which ranged from 11.67 oC to 14.87 oC, pH ranges from 6.7 to 7.2 and moisture content ranges from 0.44 to 0.58 across the elevational gradient (table 1).

Table.1. The physical parameters of the sample clusters in Camden State Park measured at September 26, 2010.

Figure 3 shows variation in density of different tree species with respect to the increase in elevation at Camden State Park.

Figure 3. Density of tree species at different sample clusters in Camden State Park.

The density of sugar maple tree was highest at the sample clusters A which is lowest elevation and B, mid elevation. Sample cluster D, which was the highest elevation at Camden State Park had the lowest density of sugar maple. The density of ironwood increased as elevation increased. Ironwood had the highest density at the highest altitude. The density of bur oak also increased as increase in altitude but was confined at the upper mid elevation. In other words, at sample cluster C. It was interesting that no bur oak was present at the highest elevation. The green ash was not present at the bottom which was lowest elevation but the density of green ash was almost uniform in sample clusters B, C and D. Basswood trees were only present at the top elevation. At the top elevation, the densities of sugar maple, green ash and basswood were similar.

Dominance of the trees species also varied with change in elevation. The figure 4 shows the dominance of each tree species with respective sample clusters.

Figure4. Dominance of tree species at different sample sites in Camden State Park.

Sugar maple is most dominance at the lowest elevation and but it decreases in upper elevations. Ironwood had the highest dominance at the sample cluster C (mid upper altitude). In lower clusters the ironwood had low dominance. Even the dominance of Ironwood at highest among all the species at the top most elevation, its lower in comparison to the sample cluster C. Bur Oak had high dominance in sample clusters A and B but bur oak was not found at top elevation. The green ash dominance was high at sample cluster B. Basswood was not found in lower elevation, so it had no dominance at all in lower elevation, though basswood present at the top elevation, the dominance was almost similar to sugar maple and Ironwood for that altitude.

Figure 5. Frequency of tree species at different sample clusters in Camden State Park.

The frequency of sugar maple present declined with increase in elevation, in other words, the frequency declined down from 60 % to less than 20 %. Ironwood doubled its frequency from 20% at lowest elevation to 40 % at the highest elevation. Frequency of ironwood increases steadily with increase in elevation. Although bur oak was not present at the top most elevation, it increased its frequency from 20 % to 38 % at upper mid altitude. There was increase in the frequency of green ash from sample cluster B to sample cluster C.

Discussion:
We found that elevation had an effect on the tree species distribution and abundance at Camden State Park. Density, dominance and frequency vary among the tree species with an increase in the elevation. Sugar maple had the highest density, dominance and frequency at the lowest elevation whereas green ash and basswood were absent at lowest elevation. Ironwood had the highest density at the top elevation.. Tree species for example basswood was present at the highest elevation (Sample Cluster D) whereas bur oak was absent at the highest elevation. A change in soil type may be one of the reasons to have an effect on the vegetation found in that particular place, but in our research we found that there was not much difference in soil physical characteristics which may be the result of the 6 inch rainfall that occurred the previous day of our data collection. Many studies done previously had also shows that there is an effect of elevation on the vegetation distribution and abundance. Even though we had a low difference in the altitude of about 50 meters, our study was able to show the differences in distribution of vegetation.

Our results are similar to those of Vetass and Grytnes (2002) even though our elevation had only difference of approximately 40m whereas the altitude was between 1000 and 5000 m for Vetass and Grytnes study site. The experiment can be done in different types of climate to collect more information about the physical and chemical features of the soil which may give more ideas about the causes of change in distribution of vegetation with change in elevation.

In conclusion, elevation had an effect on the tree species distribution and abundance at Camden State Park, Southwest Minnesota. The distribution and abundance varied for sugar maple, Ironwood, basswood, bur oak and green ash at Camden State Park. Sugar maple had highest density, dominance and frequency at lowest elevation whereas ironwood had highest density, dominance and frequency at mid higher and highest elevation.

Acknowledgement:
We are thankful to Dr. Elizabeth Desy for her advice, suggestion for study area and data collection method. We thank Dr. Frank Schindler for helping us with measuring soil pH and soil moisture. Our thanks goes to Sharon Hennen for providing the tools needed during our experiment. Thanks to Charles Kost for providing GPS and helping out with finding and locating elevation points. Finally, we thank Camden State Staff and Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, Minnesota for helping and supporting us during our experiment.

Literature Cited:

Brown, J. H and A. C. Gibson. 1983. Biogeography – An integrated approach to the study of
animal and plant distribution. Chapman and Hall, New York, NY.

Cox, W., George. 2002. General Ecology Laboratory Manual. McGraw Hill Publishing, New
York, NY.

Environmental Systems Research Institute. 2010. ArcGIS Online World Imagery. http://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=0a83 a78096ac4f5798af58f124174c4f. Retrieved October 15, 2010.

Jury, A. W., W. R. Gardner, W. H. Gardner. 1991. Soil Physics. John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York, NY.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2010. Camden State Park Info.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/camden/narrative.html . Retrieved October 25,2010.

Siebert, F., Stephen. 2005. The abundance and distribution of rattan over an elevation gradient in
Sulawesi, Indonesia. Forest Ecology and Management 210 : 143- 158.

Vetass, Oler and J. A. Grytnes.2002. Distribution of vascular plant species richness and endemic
richness along the Himalayan elevation gradient in Nepal. Global Ecology &
Biogeography 11 : 291- 301.

Nature :: NATURALLY NEPAL

2010-07-07T07:18:00.000-07:00

Nature :: NATURALLY NEPAL

DON'T QUIT

2009-06-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill.
When the funds are low and debts are high,
You want to smile but you have to sigh.
When care is pressing you down a bit rest
If you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is sovereign with its twist and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns.
And many a follow turns about when
He might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up through the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and flattering man.
Often the struggles have given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late when they might come down
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success in failure turned upside down
The silver edge of the clouds of doubts,
And you can never tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems as far.
So stick to the light when you are at hardest time
It’s when thing seems worse you mustn’t Quit..

BY : WOKIL BAM

Wokil Bam "Aatma Neps": पहिले ग्यास्ट्रिक अहिले लव्यास्टिक ( Really Interesting) नपढी सुखै छैन ।।

2009-06-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

Wokil Bam "Aatma Neps": पहिले ग्यास्ट्रिक अहिले लव्यास्टिक ( Really Interesting) नपढी सुखै छैन ।।

पहिले ग्यास्ट्रिक अहिले लव्यास्टिक ( Really Interesting) नपढी सुखै छैन ।।

2009-06-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

रोगका प्रकार नै धेरै । अझ एउटै रोगको लक्षण त कति कति । नेपालीको साझा रोग रे ग्यास्ट्रिक । यो साझा रोग किन भनेको भने साझा यातायातजस्तै कहिले चल्ने कहिले बन्द हुने भएर होला । यो एउटा अनुमान हो मेरो । ठ्याक्कै भन्न त न मसँग डक्टरको डिग्री छ न साधारण एएन्एम् नै । न धामीको ड्याङ्ग्रो छ न वैद्यको बुटी नै । साझा रोगको कुरा गर्दा ग्यास्ट्रिकसँग अर्को एउटा साझा रोगको पनि उदय भएको पाएँ मैले त्यो हो लव्यास्टिक ।

यो रोगको लक्षण पत्ता लगाउन सामान्यदेखि मान्यसम्मलाई गाह्रो छैन । क्या सजिलो यसको लक्षण पत्ता लगाउन । न नाडीको पल्स छाम्नु पर्ने न अरु क्यै । यो मनको कुरा त्यो मनले बुझे त्यै हो लभ । त्यस्तै रोगलाई नाम दिएको छु मैले लव्यास्टिक । यो रोग पत्ता लगाउन छुनै नपर्ने यो रोग लागेपछि चाहिँ छुनै पर्ने टाँस्सिनै पर्ने जोडिनै पर्ने … के के हो के के । थाहा नभएको कस्लाई चाहिँ होला र ! ग्यास्ट्रिक नेपालीको साझा रोग होला तर लव्यास्ट्रिक समग्र मावन जीवजन्तु किटपतङकै साझा रोग हो । यो रोग लाग्नु मुख्य कुरा होइन यसले कसलाई कति सतायो कसले कतिलाई कति ततायो भन्ने कुरा मुख्य हो ।

मैले टेकेको परिवेश र मैले नियालेको पर्यावरण को कुरा गर्दा यो रोगको नाम मैले अर्को पनि पाएँ । त्यो हो लबेरिया । विपरित लिङ्गीप्रति हुरुक्कै हुने यसको प्रमुख लक्षण रे । त्यति मात्र हो र एउटासँग लब गरेर नपुग्ने रे । भेटे जतिसँग शारीरिक सम्बन्ध गर्दा पनि सन्तुष्ट हुँदैनन् रे यस्ताहरु त । यसका पनि जाति र प्रजाति फरक हुँदा रहेछन् । एक प्रकारका हुँदा रहेछन् समलिङ्गीहरु कोही होमोहरु । यसलाई चाहिँ होमोफोविया भएको भन्दा गल्ती होला । होमोफेावियाको कुरा गर्दा नोमोफोवियाको याद आयो झ्वाट्ट मनमा । नमोफोविया मोवाइलधारीहरुको रोग हो । यी मोवाइलधारीहरुको के कुरा गर्नु । यिनै हुन्छन् सबैभन्दा बढी लव्यास्टिकग्रस्त । यिनीहरु टेलिफोनको टावरमै आँगालिन् । एसएमएसबाट चुम्बन गर्छन् । धड्कनको गति छाम्छन् स्व्ासको बेग मापन गर्छन् अनि बाँकी भेटमा गर्छन् । शरीरमा लुगा टम्म नभएकादेखि ओठमा जुँगा झ्याम्म नभएका सम्म पेटीकोट लाउनेदेखि कोट लगाउनेसम्म सबैको उही ताल उही रोगका रोगी । अरुलाई लव्यास्टिक रोगलाग्दा के हुन्छ थाहा भएन मलाई लव्यास्टिक लाग्दा के भयो बताउन सक्दिन ।

पेटमा ग्यास्ट्रिक हुँदा पेट दुख्नु त ठीकै हो पाखुराको नसामा पनि दुख्छ रे भन्दा पो अचम्म । डक्टरले भनेपछि मान्नै पर्यो । त्यस्तै छ यो लव्यास्टिकको लक्षण पनि । माया मनमा हुन्छ रे । मन कहाँ हुन्छ थाहा छैन । मन दुख्छ रे । कहाँ दुख्छ थाहा छैन यो अचम्मको रोग रहेछ । बुझ्नेलाई श्रीखण्ड नबुझ्नेलाई खुर्पाको बीँड भनेझैं भएको छ यो रोगको कुरा । जुगाँ नपलाएकादेखि जुँगा फुलेकासम्मलाई यो रोगले सताउनु नराम्रो कुरा होइन नै । दाँत नउम्रेकादेखि दाँत झरेकासम्म यसका शिकार भएका छन् ए गाँठे ! यसको लीला र महिमाको गान गर्न सक्ने गायक यो धर्तीमा अझै जन्मेको छैन होला । त्यसैले त घरमा जहान सुत्केरी हुँदा पनि वनमा लीला गर्थे रे हाम्रा अग्रपुस्ता । धाइ राखेकी सालीको ताली बजाएर प्रेमको डालीमा पार्न सफल हुन्थे रे अनि सालीहरु पनि के कम दिदीको आँखामा दिउँसै सपना भरेर दिउँसै रात पार्थे रे । यही होइन लव्यास्टिक । जमानाका थोत्रा मोत्रा कुरा मात्रै किन । कुरा गरौं लव्यास्टिकको ताजा जनमतको । श्रीमतीको खाट चिसो पारेर गॆस्ट हाउसका खाट ताउने श्रीमतीको मन चिसो पारेर नगर वधुको आङ तताउने पुरुषहरु पनि लव्यास्टिकग्रस्त रोगी होइनन् र ! श्रीमतीहरुका पनि के कुरा । मुग्लान पसेका लोग्नेका आँखामा छारो हालेर परपुरुष गमन गर्ने त परको कुरा अफिस गएको बेला दिउँसै रात पार्ने कुरा पनि लव्यास्टिक होइन र ! सबैभन्दा अचम्म त छापामा पो सुन्न पाइन्छ । ६० वर्षका बूढाले नौ वर्षकी बालिकामाथि हातपात गरे रे पि्र_िन्सपलले आफ्नै विद्याीर्थसँग सम्बन्ध गाँसिन् रे … यस्ता कुरा का अगाडि स्कुले विद्यार्थी जंगलमा पकि्रएका स्कुल पढ्दै गर्दा गर्भवती भएका कलेज हातामै लीला मच्चाएका … त चानचुने कुरा भइहाल्यो नि । यी भन्नै नहुने नभनी पनि सुखै नपाइने कुराहरु लव्यास्टिक रोगका लक्षण हुन् । के कुरा गर्नु हजुर तपाइँसँग मनको गाँठो नफुकाए कोसँग फुकाउनु । केही समयअगाडि ग्याटि्रककले सतायो अहिले लव्यास्टिकले । कोही छ भने सम्पर्क गर्नुहोला मसँग । त्यै सम्पर्क क्या । बुझ्नुभो । माफ गर्नुहोला । होमोहरुका लागि यो रुट सधैं व्यस्त रहने छ !!!!!! नेपाली समकालीन साहित्य बाट सभार गरिएको !!!

Writer: (लेखक ) : मोदनाथ अधिकारी

FriendShip

2009-06-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

Friendship & Happiness Debate We cannot find happiness in isolation. A certain amount of quiet and calm reflection may well be necessary for understanding what happiness means, but the activity of becoming happy is one that binds us to the world. Happiness means a certain kind of relationship with other people. We might say that our happiness is nested in the world, for the world is where, over a lifetime, we build up the layers of a habitat - and 'habit' is crucial here - that we proudly call good. One of the best habits to develop for being happy is that of friendship. So friendship is key to happiness. Without friends none of the other good things in life would be worth having, said Aristotle. And yet friendship is often ignored or sidelined in current debates on happiness. So what is friendship? What is its nature and rules, its perils and its promise? And can we be happy in a society were citizens are routinely treated as threats or rivals rather than as actual or potential friends? Can the politics of wellbeing achieve anything when proposed solutions focus so much on their utility for the individual? FRIENDSHIP Friendship is a sunshine on a cloudy day. The roses that bloom in December. Friendship is a blessing full of gay. The hearts that dance together Friendship is an understanding in two ways, As lively as the divine power Friendship is a fragrance of joy , When blooms the enchanted flower. Friendship is a desired tune to play, That provides full- time pleasure. Friendship is a gift one can never play. Which is always to be treasured. Friendship is a life, to say, That keeps the moments fresh forever. Friendship is a pond of love. Nothing can be as sweeter. Friendship is a strong bond of soul. Every next morning seems newer, Friendship is a song composed of joy, That grateful hearts always remember.

Be Positive Like This Boy (Plzz read it)

2009-06-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

A beautiful Madam was having trouble with one of her students in 1st Grade class.
Madam asked,'Boy. what is your problem?'

Boy answered, 'I'm too smart for the first-grade. My sister is in the third-grade and I'm smarter than she is! I think I should be in the 4th Grade!'

Madam had enough. She took the Boy to the principal's office. While the Boy waited in the outer office, madam explained to the principal what the situation was. The principal told Madam he would give the boy a test and if he failed to answer any of his questions he was to go back to the first-grade and behave.

She agreed. the Boy was brought in and the conditions were explained to him and he agreed to take the test. Principal: 'What is 3 x 3?' Boy.: '9'. Principal: 'What is 6 x 6?' Boy.: '36'. And so it went with every question the principal thought a 4th grade should know.

The principal looks at Madam and tells her, 'I think Boy can go to the 4th grade.' Madam says to the principal, 'I have some of my own questions.

Can I ask him ?' The principal and Boy both agreed.

Madam asks, 'What does a cow have four of that I have only two of'?
Boy, after a moment 'Legs.'

Madam asks, 'What is infront of I and at the back side of cow?
Boy, taking a bit time, "W".

Madam: 'What is in your pants that you have but I do not have?'
Boy.: 'Pockets.'

Madam: What starts with a C and ends with a T, is hairy, oval, delicious and contains thin whitish liquid?
Boy.: Coconut

Madam: What goes in hard and pink then comes out soft And sticky? The principal's eyes open really wide and before he could stop the answer, Boy was taking charge.
Boy.: Bubblegum Madam: What does a man do standing up, a woman does sitting down and a dog does on three legs?

The principal's eyes open really wide and before he could stop the answer..
Boy.: Shake hands

Madam: You stick your poles inside me. You tie me down to get me up. I get wet before you do. Boy.: Tent

Madam: A finger goes in me. You fiddle with me when you're bored. The best man always has me first.

The Principal was looking restless, a bit tense and took one large Patiala Vodka peg.
Boy.: Wedding Ring

Madam: I come in many sizes. When I'm not well, I drip. When you blow me, you feel good.
Boy.: Nose

Madam: I have a stiff shaft. My tip penetrates. I come with a quiver.
Boy.: Arrow

Madam: What word starts with a 'F' and ends in 'K' that means lot of heat and excitement?
Boy.: Fire truck

Madam: What word starts with a 'F' and ends in 'K' & if u don't get it, u have to use ur hand. Boy.: Fork

Madam: What is it that all men have one of it's longer on some men than on others, the pope doesn't use his and a man gives it to his wife after they're married?
Boy.: SURNAME.

Madam: What part of the man has no bone but has muscles, has lots of veins, like pumping, & is responsible for making love ?
Boy.: HEART.

The principal breathed a sigh of relief and said to the teacher, 'Send this Boy to SMSU (Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, MN) I am really sorry. I got the last fourteen questions wrong myself!' Thank god..... So always be positive like the boy..... ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha