Aquatics Ecology

          

 

Aquatic Ecology station will cover a basic knowledge of aquatic ecology, haunts, and habits of aquatic organisms.  What are the indicators of good water quality? How does the soils and trees surrounding the water bodies affect the water quality and run off into  the aquatic wildlife habitats.  Why is water one of the keys to sustainability of life?

The Basics
Define a Wetland
Four Major Wetland types
The importance of Wetlands
Chemical and physical properties and affects on aquatic organisms
Water cycle/Watershed
Uses and importance of water

Understanding Aquatic Habitats
Living; identification and natural history of fish, invertebrates, plants
Non-living; chemical and physical properties, geology
Interactions between and among living and nonliving

Hands on
Identify plants and animals commonly found in wetlands
Assessment of current aquatic resource management or control
Testing : Water, Soil, vegetation – swamp, fen, marsh or bog

Protection of Water Resources
Regulations concerning aquatic resources, reptiles, amphibians
Federal, Provincial and local agencies and other organizations and groups that have a mission to protect water resources
Management issues
Endangered/Threatened Species
Human health issues relating to water quality

Knowledge Base
Define a wetland
Describe normal succession in Nova Scotia lakes, streams and wetlands
Identify at least three chemical factors in water and how they can affect aquatic life
Identify rare, threatened and endangered aquatic species, as identified by NSDNR and COSEWIC
Define habitat requirements and illustrate with specific examples

 

     Canon Envirothon  Learning Objectives

Water resources are vital to aquatic ecosystems. Any change in the water resources will impact these systems.

1. Understand the implications of cross boundary (municipal, state, provincial and international) jurisdictional water issues.
2. Describe how changes in climate, whether part of a natural cycle or exacerbated by the greenhouse effect, will impact on water resources.
3. Discuss climate change impacts on aquatic ecosystems, plant and animal species, biodiversity and natural processes.