Geomorphic characteristics of small seeps and fens in a glaciated landscape

Abstract

Stratigraphic slope wetlands result from discharging ground water and can be found anywhere in dissected landscapes. Both seeps and fens are stratigraphic slope wetlands and the difference between the two in the Midwestern USA is not always clearly defined. Geomorphic features of 30 stratigraphic slope wetlands in Muscatine County, Iowa were measured using global positioning system and geographic information system technology. One-way ANOVA was used to test the hypotheses that the area, elevation, and/or slope would be significantly different between seeps and fens of differing parent material. The results suggest that fens and seeps are geomorphically indistinguishable from one another.