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Aquatic Ecology . Eli Vaillancourt. Abiotic Objectives: . 1. pH - measures the hydrogen ion concentration a pH less than 7 are acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline. Alkalinity - quantitative capacity of water to neutralize an acid.
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Aquatic Ecology Eli Vaillancourt
Abiotic Objectives: • 1. pH- measures the hydrogen ion concentration • a pH less than 7 are acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline. • Alkalinity- quantitative capacity of water to neutralize an acid. • This is important in determining a stream's ability to neutralize acidic pollution from rainfall or wastewater. • Dissolved Oxygen- a relative measure of the amount of oxygen that is dissolved or carried in a given medium
example • Brook Trout like to live in waters with a pH of 5.0 to 7.5
Abiotic Objectives • 2. Water Flow- the rate or speed at which water travels • Water temperature- how hot or cold the water is. • Water turbidity- is the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by individual particles • Surface Tension- contractive tendency of the surface of a liquid that allows it to resist an external force
example • The water strider is denser than water but surface tension allows it to stay afloat. • Largemouth Bass live in water temperature from 62 to 83 degrees
Abiotic Objectives • 3. The shape of the land can affect water flow and channel shape. • If a stream is high up in a steep mountain the channel will usually have a strong water flow. • As opposed to a stream on nearly flat land will be much slower. • Streams provide many habitats
Abiotic Objectives • 4. Water Cycle!
example • The Northern Red Salamander only comes out to search for prey, during or after rain.
Abiotic Objectives • 5. Watersheds of PA
Abiotic Objectives • 6. Streams range from a first to twelve order. 1st being the smallest and 12th being the largest.
Biotic Objectives • 1.Identifying Aquatic animals: • http://quizlet.com/2216643/pa-envirothon-fish-flash-cards/
Biotic Objectives • 2. Life cycles of animals • Ex: Trout
Biotic Objectives • Bull Frog
Biotic Objectives • Dragonfly
Biotic Objectives • Adaptations of Mudpuppy: • Slimy skin- keeps it moist • Tail- assists in jumping • Gills- breathe underwater
Biotic Objectives • Yellow Perch habitat requirements: • Fresh water • Low turbidity • 17.6 to 25 degrees C • Moderate vegetation • Low water flow for laying/hatching eggs
Community Objectives • 1.Aquatic and Wetland Environments: • Pond • Lake • Stream • Marsh • Bog • Swamp
Community Objectives • 2. Functions of wetlands • recycle nutrients • purify water • attenuate floods • recharge ground water • provide habitats for wildlife
Community Objectives • 3. Stream from headwater to mouth
Community Objectives • 4. Functional feeding groups: • Mayfly nymphs are scrapers that eat algae, bacteria and fungus of rocks. • Stonefly nymph is a shredder that eats decaying leaves and twigs. • Dragonfly nymph is a predator that eats smaller insects, leeches, or fish.
Community Objectives • 5. Food Web
Aquatic resource issues • Artificial fertilizers and pesticides in crops causes intoxication of aquatic life. • Factories produce many toxic and hazardous wastes which can pollute the soil, rivers and water sources if released untreated in the ecosystems. • Fishing reduces the fish communities in rivers and oceans, destructive fishing techniques can also cause water pollution and damage to other aquatic life. • Mining operations release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, as well as heavy metals into the soil and water sources.
Aquatic resource issues • Bog Turtle is endangered • Eastern Massasauga is endangered • Atlantic Sturgeon is threatened
Invasive Species • Sea Lamprey • Common Carp • Red-Eared Slider
Fishing Regulations • http://fishinpa.com/
Migratory Fish Restoration • American Eel • American Shad • Atlantic Sturgeon
Water Quality • Ammonia • conductivity • fecal coliform bacteria • nitrate + nitrite • Nitrogen • dissolved oxygen • pH • Phosphorus • suspended solids • temperature • turbidity
How can you protect water quality? • IDENTIFY your watershed. • TEST your soil before applying fertilizers or other nutrients to avoid over-application. • REDUCE pesticide use. • PATCH bare soil areas in your yard to prevent erosion and runoff. • SWEEP, rather than hose down, sidewalks, driveways, and other impervious surfaces. • USE a funnel for pouring when filling your lawn mower or other gasoline-powered tools • DISPOSE of pet waste in the garbage
How can you protect water quality? • MANAGE landscape projects properly. • MINIMIZE lawn area and implement healthy lawn care practices. • REPLACE paved surfaces, such as a garden path or driveway, with porous material. • USE RAINWATER to your advantage. • MAINTAIN a natural buffer zone between your landscaped area and any ponds or streams to prevent bank erosion and to filter contaminants • AVOID planting trees too close to septic systems.