Download the 2016 Envirothon Team Handbook
2016 Oral Presentation Scenario: TBA
Oral Presentation Rules
Oral Presentation Score Sheet
Oral Presentation Tips
LEARNING OUTCOMES: FORESTRY Download LEARNING OUTCOMES: FORESTRY PDF
Tree Physiology & Identification
Know the characteristics (shade tolerance, longevity, site, common uses) of the tree species native to Nova Scotia.
Know the parts and tissues of a tree and be able to explain the growth processes as they relate to the life cycle, including photosynthesis and respiration.
Forest Ecology
Understand forest ecology concepts and abiotic and biotic factors affecting them including the relationship between soil and forest types, tree communities, forest succession and biodiversity.
Sustainably Managed Forests
Understand what silviculture is and the various treatments used, both in even-aged and uneven-aged management (thinning, clear cutting, shelter wood, selection cutting, pre-commercial thinning, site preparation and planting).
Know how to use forestry tools and equipment in order to measure tree diameter, height and basal area. Be able to examine growth rings to determine tree age and tree history (periods of drought, growth, scarring from fire).
Be able to interpret macro-features from an aerial photograph.
Understand how social, economic and environmental factors influence forest management decisions and be able to address current forestry issues from different perspectives (ie. Clear cutting vs old growth, prescribed burns in protected areas), and know the provincial regulations pertaining to wildlife habitat and watercourse protection.
Value of the Forests
Understand the economic value of forests and their importance to society including biodiversity, biomass, carbon sequestration, economic benefits, non-timber forests products, and why trees and forests are important to human health, recreation, wildlife and watershed quality.
Understand the economic importance of the forest industry to the provincial, national and international economies, and identify the main types of forest Products produced in the Maritimes.
Learning Resources
NS’s Code of Forest Practice
Forest Ecosystem Management
NS Forest Ecosystem Classification
NS Forestry Laws & Policies
National Forestry Database
Parts of a Tree
Visit the Ontario Envirothon website for a full Forestry Module Study Guide!
Forest Structure
Tree Crown Classes
Silviculture and its Various Treatments
Video on Measuring Tree Diameter (you will be given a diameter tape at our Provincial Envirothon, but at the North American level you might be asked to use a Tree Scale Stick, which is also often referred to as a Biltmore Stick. The NSFA has a Biltmore Stick to lean out to teams interested in learning to use one!)
Using a Clinometer to Measure Tree Height
Video on Measuring Tree Height
Measuring Basal Area with a Wedge Prism
Reading the Rings of a Tree
Aging Trees
Dendrochronology
Forest Product Production in NS
Canadian Forests
Forest Classification in Canada
Forest Ecosystem Products and Services
Forest Industry in Canada
Technology in the Forest
NS Forest Inventory Photo Interpretation
NB Envirothon Workshop Power Point: Has great information on Aerial Photos, Forest Inventory, Dichotomous Keys and Important Insects and Diseases of Trees
Common Plants of NS
SIMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
LEARNING OUTCOMES: SOILS AND LAND USE Download SOILS AND LAND USE PDF
Soil Conservation and Land Use Management
Compare different land uses and conservation practices and their impacts on soils, with particular emphasis on agriculture and food production. Understand how soil management is integral to maintaining clean water and a healthy aquatic environment.
Chemical Properties of Soil and Soil Fertility
Understand the concept of micronutrients and macronutrients as they relate to soils and plant nutrition.
Identify roles and benefits of organic matter in soils.
Physical Properties of Soil and Soil Formation
Understand the concept of soil parent material and how different parent materials can affect soil properties.
Be able to identify common soil horizons and soil features and use this information to interpret soil properties and limitations for land use (e.g., texture, colour, organic matter content, stoniness, drainage class).
Be able to use soil survey maps and related information to make interpretations about soil limitations, opportunities, and appropriate land use.
Learning Resources
Exploring the Amazing World of Soils
Visit the Ontario Envirothon website for a full Soils Module Study Guide!
Soil Survey Reports for Nova Scotia
Soils of Canada
Soil pH and Plant Nutrients
Soils and Land Use Reference Material for Canon Envirothon
Why is Soil Important
Forest Soil Types of NS
The Importance of Soil Testing
Forest Ecosystem Classification in NS
NS Forest Ecosystem Classification Soil Types
Land Use Impacts on Soil Quality
Soil in our Streams
Impacts of Land Use on Water
Soil Fertility
Essential Elements for Plant Growth
Plant Nutrients
Roles of 16 Essential Nutrients
Organic Matter and its Benefits
What does Organic Matter do in Soil?
Factors of Soil Formation
The Origin and Development of Soils
Soil Forming Process
How Parent Material Affects Soil Profile Development
Soil Formation: Factors
Soil Profile
Soil Formation: Horizons
SIMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
LEARNING OUTCOMES: WILDLIFEDownload WILDLIFE PDF
Birds, Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles
Define habitat and know the habitat requirements for wildlife and the factors that affect wildlife sustainability. Explain major causes of habitat loss in Nova Scotia.
Wildlife Ecology
Describe wildlife adaptations and their significance (hibernation, migration, colouration, etc.). Identify general food habits (herbivore, omnivore, carnivore), habitats (terrestrial, aquatic) and habits (diurnal, nocturnal) using skull morphology and/or teeth. Identify and explain the advantages of physiological and/or behavioural adaptation of wildlife to their environment.
Know the difference between an ecosystem, community and population. Understand population dynamics such as birth, mortality, age-structure, sex ratio and mating systems. Understand the impact of limiting and decimating factors of common wildlife species on wildlife management. Understand the relationship between predator and prey.
Define succession and explain how a change in climate, topography or land use might modify the process of succession.
Define biodiversity and terminology (limited factor, territory, home range, forest fragmentation, etc.). Explain why biodiversity is important to people and wildlife. Understand the importance of the three levels of biodiversity (genetic, species and ecosystem/community) and the implications of loss at each level. Explain the major causes of biodiversity loss in NS.
Describe food chains, food webs and trophic levels with examples from NS.
Conservation and Wildlife Management
Explain common wildlife management practices and methods that are being used to manage and improve wildlife habitat in NS. Understand the role hunters and trappers play in wildlife management. How can you help in the protection, conservation, management and enhancing of NS wildlife populations?
Issues Involving Wildlife and Society
Understand the impact that land-use decisions can have on wildlife populations. Understand that wildlife resources are under constant pressure caused by human population growth, environmental degradation and habitat reduction.
Understand the various status of ‘at risk’ species (vulnerable, threatened, endangered, extirpated, extinct) and the factors that are affecting these species. Understand species reintroduction. Explain common causes that lead to depleted populations and describe measures being taken to help their recovery. Know the organization and agencies responsible for listing species as ‘at risk’ on global, national and provincial levels.
Understand the impacts, both positive and negative, of people on biodiversity. Negative impacts could be fragmentation of habitat due to development (roads, buildings, etc.), disturbance of wildlife nesting seasons, destruction of habitat due to vehicles, motor vehicle collisions, trash interfering with wildlife health (food intake), pesticides in the environment. Positive impacts could be enhancement of wildlife habitat in order to attract wildlife viewing, increased knowledge through visiting wildlife and natural areas, funding for wildlife management.
Describe white nose syndrome and how is it affecting bats. What measures are being taken to discover outbreaks and prevent spread? Describe brainworm and how is it affecting the mainland moose population.
Learning Resources
NS Species at Risk
Significant Species and Habitats Database
Living with Wildlife
Sustainable Wildlife Use
NS Wildlife Habitat and Watercourses Protection Regulations
NS’s Special Management Practices
NS Wildlife Laws and Policies
NS Wildlife Act
Wildlife Habitat Protection
Wildlife Habitat Canada
A Guide on Significant Wildlife Habitat
Habitat Components
Habitat Requirements for Wildlife
Habitat and Adaptation
Hinterland Who’s Who
Atlantic Biodiveristy
Carrying Capacity
The Basics of Wildlife Management
Cultural Carrying Capacity
Visit the Ontario Envirothon website for a full Aquatics Module Study Guide!
SIMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
LEARNING OUTCOMES: AQUATIC ECOLOGYDownload AQUATIC ECOLOGY PDF
Abiotic
Understand the concept of watersheds. Know the features of a healthy and unhealthy watershed.
Biotic
Understand the concept of migratory fish and give local examples.
Understand the impact invasive and introduced species can have on an ecosystem and give local examples.
Aquatic Environments
Watercourse Protection & Conservation
Know various methods of conserving water and why they are important. How can you conserve water?
Understand water quality testing and monitoring and why these tests are used to assess and manage aquatic environments. Understand point and non-point source pollution and ways to reduce them. Explain how water quality can be improved.
Learning Resources
Introduction to Watershed Ecology
Visit the Ontario Envirothon website for a full Aquatics Module Study Guide!
Species found in NS
Invasive Alien Species in NS
Healthy Beaches and Dunes for Tomorrow
NS’s Atlantic Coastal Plain Flora
Healthy Lakes and Wetlands for Tomorrow
Why Are Invasive Alien Species a Problem?
Water Conservation
Water Friendly Living
Water Conservation & Watersheds in NS
Surface Water Quality
Aquatic Ecosystems
Pollution Control
Pollution Runoff
Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines
Surface Water in NS
NS’s Water Resources Management Strategy
Watercourse Alterations
NS Coastal Water Quality
NS’s Water Resource Values and the Damage Costs of Declining Water Resources and Water Quality
SIMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
LEARNING OUTCOMES: INVASIVE SPECIES
Invasive Species
Invasive species pose a serious threat to the stability of many North American ecosystems. Invasive species have been known to disrupt food webs, damage or destroy habitat and contribute to the decline of indigenous species at risk. In addition to their environmental impact, invasive species can have a significant impact on local economies; in the United States alone it is estimated that invading alien species cause major environmental damage and loss adding up to almost $120 billion per year (Pimentel, Zuniga, Morrison – 2005).
The 19th and 20th centuries have seen an exponential increase in the number of invasive species being intentionally and unintentionally introduced to North America and around the world through a variety of methods. The vast majority of invasive species that have established themselves in North America did so through unnatural or “human-assisted” means, including being introduced by early settlers for agricultural purposes. However, many others have been inadvertently transported to North America through trade and travel, as stowaways on ships or in packaging materials, and through horticulture. With the expected increases in exports and trade in the future, we can likely expect greater challenges and introductions of new species not yet known to occur in North America.
KEY TOPICS
1. Invasive Species and Their Impacts
2. Pathways of Introduction and Spread
3. The Invasive Species Management cycle (Prevent, Detect, Respond, control)
4. Roles and Responsibilities (Government, Non- Government, the Individual)
5. Tools in the Toolbox (Models, Detection Tools, Monitoring Tools, communications)
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Explain what an invasive species is.
2. Describe the economic, social, and environmental impacts of invasive species.
3. Comprehend the effects/impacts of invasive species on aquatic, forest, wildlife and soil ecosystems with specific reference to biodiversity.
4. Explain how ecological impacts may vary by species.
5. Compare theories about the characteristics that assist invasive species in successfully establishing new populations. What makes a good invader?
6. Describe the pathways through which invasive species are introduced.
7. Discuss the stages of the invasive species management cycle and components of an invasive species management plan.
8. Assess the costs associated with controlling an invasive species on a state/province-wide basis.
9. Outline methods of controlling an invasive species.
10. Understand how various levels of government and other organizations are involved in the management of invasive species.
11. Are all invasive species created equal? Describe how risk is assessed.
12. Discuss the means by which invasive species are detected and monitored and have a basic knowledge of models and tools used to monitor invasive species.
13. Demonstrate knowledge of the policies/legislation involved in preventing, detecting, monitoring, and controlling invasive species.
14. Describe the role for non-government and the average citizen in managing invasive species.
15. Investigate ways to reduce the arrival of new invasive species by setting the foundations for environmentally ethical behaviors and sound environmental decision making.
16. Demonstrate knowledge of the various forms of outreach and education being used and assess their effectiveness.
Learning Resources