Wet Meadow
The area surrounding the barn and in front of you is called a wet meadow. Wet meadows are a type of marsh habitat that flood temporarily and have mucky soils rich with minerals. Wet meadows are protected by the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act to prevent people from draining them and converting them to agricultural use.
Wet meadows act as a nutrient filter when nearby rivers overflow their banks. The soil absorbs the extra runoff and nutrients, preventing downstream flooding and creating a rich habitat for an assortment of wildlife.
To protect this habitat for wildlife species that thrive in open environments, SVT periodically mows the meadow to prevent it from being overtaken by woody plants and shrubs.
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a wildflower that is often abundant in wet meadow habitats. The plant came to North America from Europe when the seeds were stuck in the ballasts of ships. Although these tall, purple flowers look pretty, they often overrun native species. This has consequences for native wildlife, as purple loosestrife has no nutritive value compared to the sedges that many animals rely on for sustenance. Loosestrife removal is an ongoing process at SVT’s wet meadow.
To get to the second stop, cross Wolbach Road and enter the Founders' Garden on your left, via the path near the kiosk.
Back to Wolbach Farm Interpretive Trail main page.
Photo: Purple loosestrife, photographed by Harold McAleer.