Water Site Characterization
A downloadable PDF of this page can be found here.
Objective: Students will answer questions about the nature of a water source.
Accompanying Classroom Worksheet: W-W-05
Considerations
1. This protocol is designed to be performed only once per site, though it can be executed more than once to evaluate changes in the site that may occur over time. It may also be used to characterize several sites which could then be compared to one another.
2. This protocol has very little scientific element to it, as it merely is designed to help students notice aspects of their site. You may wish to use it to familiarize your students with their site before they begin performing more engaging experiments.
Materials:
___ Worksheet W-W-05
Instructions * Students will answer basic questions about the physical nature of the site that can be evaluated without tests or experimentation.
1. Identify the type of body of water at your site. This evaluation is somewhat subjective. The options are:
a) Lake: a larger body of still water
b) Pond: a smaller body of still water
c) River: a larger, wider body of flowing water
d) Stream: a smaller, narrower body of flowing water
e) Other
2. Describe the area surrounding your water site. Is it a wetland, forest, scrubland, gorge, desert, beach, etc? Be as specific as possible about foliage and soil.
3. Describe the sediment of the bed. Options include:
a) Rocky
b) Clay
c) Sandy
d) Silt- typically has a texture between clay and sand. Feels slippery when wet and floury when dry.
e) Other
4. Describe the color and clarity of the water.
5. Describe the flora of the body of water.
a) Is it covered in algae? Are there any trees or reeds growing in it?
6. Describe the fauna at the site.
a) Are there any fish? Frogs? Birds? Insects? Identify them to the best of your ability.
b) Count the number of individual species that you notice.
7. What types of human interactions does the site experience?
a) Is it used for fishing, boating, or swimming?
b) Are there any manmade structures such as docks or dams?
Accompanying Classroom Worksheet: W-W-05
Considerations
1. This protocol is designed to be performed only once per site, though it can be executed more than once to evaluate changes in the site that may occur over time. It may also be used to characterize several sites which could then be compared to one another.
2. This protocol has very little scientific element to it, as it merely is designed to help students notice aspects of their site. You may wish to use it to familiarize your students with their site before they begin performing more engaging experiments.
Materials:
___ Worksheet W-W-05
Instructions * Students will answer basic questions about the physical nature of the site that can be evaluated without tests or experimentation.
1. Identify the type of body of water at your site. This evaluation is somewhat subjective. The options are:
a) Lake: a larger body of still water
b) Pond: a smaller body of still water
c) River: a larger, wider body of flowing water
d) Stream: a smaller, narrower body of flowing water
e) Other
2. Describe the area surrounding your water site. Is it a wetland, forest, scrubland, gorge, desert, beach, etc? Be as specific as possible about foliage and soil.
3. Describe the sediment of the bed. Options include:
a) Rocky
b) Clay
c) Sandy
d) Silt- typically has a texture between clay and sand. Feels slippery when wet and floury when dry.
e) Other
4. Describe the color and clarity of the water.
5. Describe the flora of the body of water.
a) Is it covered in algae? Are there any trees or reeds growing in it?
6. Describe the fauna at the site.
a) Are there any fish? Frogs? Birds? Insects? Identify them to the best of your ability.
b) Count the number of individual species that you notice.
7. What types of human interactions does the site experience?
a) Is it used for fishing, boating, or swimming?
b) Are there any manmade structures such as docks or dams?
