watershed - Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance

Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance
The Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance of Northwest Florida
State College is an organization committed to sustaining
and providing optimum utilization of the Choctawhatchee
Basin watershed. CBA provides opportunities for citizens,
educators, and technical experts to promote the health of
the Choctawhatchee Basin watershed.
 Monitoring
 Restoration
 Education
 Research
Why teach about the
Choctawhatchee Bay Watershed?
Create water stewards
Develop an interest in local environment
Real life application of science
Coastal economy
More than 90% of commercially harvested fish rely on the bay at some point in their developmental stage.
A watershed is an area in
which all water,
sediments, and dissolved
materials drain from the
land into a common
body of water.
What is a Watershed?
We are all apart of a
watershed. Anything that
ends up in watershed
ends up in a body water,
this includes pesticides,
fertilizers, excess
sediment, and other
pollutants.
“We all live upstream from one another. No matter where you live,
your actions affect our world’s oceans and waterways.”- Philippe Cousteau
Only 42% of the watershed is in
Florida, the remainder drains from
southeastern Alabama.
The Choctawhatchee River is an
alluvial river; this means the river has
a broad floodplain, seasonal flooding
and a heavy sediment load.
The Choctawhatchee River is the 4th
longest river in Florida and the 3rd
largest in annual average discharge.
The Choctawhatchee Bay Watershed
The Choctawhatchee River and Bay
watershed covers 5,350 square miles.
The Choctawhatchee River has several
freshwater tributaries including the
Pea and Little Choctawhatchee River
in Alabama and Seven Runs, Sandy,
and several other creeks in Florida.
The Choctawhatchee Bay is 27 miles
long and covers 129 square miles
Additional Activities
 Trace rivers and creeks to the bay
 Umbrella activity
 Watershed address
 Follow the water drop game
SC.3.N.1.1 Raise questions about the natural world,
investigate them individually and in teams through free
exploration and systematic investigations, and generate
appropriate explanations based on those explorations.
SC.4.E.6.3 Recognize that humans need resources found
on Earth and that these are either renewable or non
renewable
SC.4.E.6.6 Identify resources available in Florida (water,
phosphate, oil, limestone, silicon, wind, and solar energy).
SC.5.E.7.1 Create a model to explain the parts of the water cycle. Water can be a gas, a liquid, or a solid and
can go back and forth from one state to another.
SC.5.E.7.2 Recognize that the ocean is an integral part of the water cycle and is connected to all of Earth’s
water reservoirs view evaporation and precipitation processes.
Choctawhatchee Bay
An estuary is a partially enclosed body of water, and its surrounding coastal habitats,
where saltwater from the ocean mixes with fresh water from rivers and streams. Estuaries
are often called the “nurseries of life.”
The mixture of salt water and freshwater in estuaries created brackish water. The salinity
levels can range from 0.5 ppt to 30 ppt.
The salinity range of estuary varies depending on rainfall, river flow, tides, temperate,
water depth, etc.
0 ppt
Freshwater
0.5-30 ppt
Brackish water
35 ppt
Saltwater
Salinity
Salinity is the amount of salt in a body of
water.
Freshwater and saltwater have different
densities. Saltwater is more dense than
freshwater. So when the two waters mix, a
division occurs. Freshwater will sit on top of
the saltwater.
The differences in salt water can have an
effect on where plants and animals are found
throughout the estuary.
Measuring Salinity Levels
We will measure the salinity levels of 3 different bodies of water using a
refractometer. We measure salinity in parts per thousand or ppt.
Most science supply companies have refractometers available to be ordered.
Carolina Science Supply, Ward’s Natural Science, Fisher Scientific Supply Company
Using a Refractometer
1.
Use the pipette to collect a sample of
water from the 1st Sample
2.
Place 1 drop of water on the
refractometer screen, gently close the
clear lid
3.
While looking through the eye piece,
point the refractometer towards the sun.
The salinity level is measured where the
blue and clear areas meet
Sample 2: Saltwater
Brackish
Choctawhatchee Bay
Gulf of Mexico
Sample 1:
Brackish
Coastal Dune Lake
Sample 3:
Additional Activities
 Egg floating experiment
 Saltwater evaporation
 Dissolve salt in different
temperatures
 Density lab
 Measure different levels
using a refractometer
 Use salt water to define help
define concentration,
solution, etc.
SC.3.P.9.1 Describe the changes water undergoes when it changes state through heating and cooling by using
familiar scientific terms such as melting, freezing, boiling, evaporation, and condensation.
MACC.3.MD.1.2 Measure and estimate liquid volumes and masses of objects using standard units of
grams(g), Kilograms (kg), and liters (l). Add, subtract, multiply, or divide to solve one-step word problems
involving masses or volumes that are given in the same units, e.g., by using drawings such as a beaker with a
measurement scale) to represent the problem.
SC.4.P.8.2 Identify properties and common uses of water in each of its states.
SC. 4.l.16.2 Explain that although characteristics of plants nad naimlas are inherited, some characteristics
can be affected by the environment.
SC.5.N.2.1 Recognize and explain that science is grounded in empirical observations that are testable;
explanations must always be linked with evidence
SC.5.P.8.2 Investigate and identify materials that will dissolve in water and those that will not and identify
the conditions that will speed up or slow down the dissolving process.
Benchmarks
Wetlands
Wetlands are areas that are saturated with water, however, might not be wet year
around. They serve as a transition area between water and land. Wetlands
generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas.
Why are wetlands important?
Serves as a nursery habitat
-Provide protection from predators
-Provide an abundant food supply
Help to prevent erosion by holding sediment in place
Provide critical habitat
Serve as a natural buffer, filtering water carrying pollutants from upland
Wetlands in a Pan
1. Crumble the piece of cardstock to create ridges,
valleys, etc. Pick the high elevation side of the
paper and low elevation, which will be close to
the bay
2. Next add water and natural areas to create a
watershed on the piece of paper. Remember to
think about the location of these areas. i.e. the
water will be in lower elevation.
Sponges/wetlands
3. Tape the map into the paint tray. Try not to let
there be space between the paper and the sides of
the tray. Also allow there to be about an inch,
between the paper and the bay
4. Sprinkle a little glitter in areas the students think
pollution exists.
Paint Tray
Glitter
Colored Pencils
Cardstock
Sponges
Scotch tape
Spray bottle
5. Add your sponges to the bottom of your
watershed, this represents the wetlands
6. Now its time for a rainstorm. Spray your
watershed a few times.
7. What happens to your glitter and stormwater
runoff?
Additional Activitites
 Enviroscape
 Native vs. Invasive species game
 Filtering activity
Benchmarks
3rd grade: Most of the Life Sciences benchmarks apply to
activities related to wetlands
SC.4.L.16.4 Compare and contrast the major stages in the life
cycles of Florida plants and animals, such as those that undergo
incomplete and complete metamorphosis, and flowing and
nonflowering seed-beering plants.
SC.4.L.17.4 Recognize ways plants and animals, including
humans, can impact the environment.
SC.5.E.7.1 Create a model to explain the parts of the water cycle.
Water can be a gas, a liquid, or a solid and can go back and forth
from one state to another.
SC.5.E.7.2 Recognize that the ocean is an integral part of the
water cycle and is connected to all of Earth’s water reservoirs view
evaporation and precipitation processes.
Plants in a Salt Marsh
Spartina alterniflora
Adaptations:
1. Salt glands that remove excess salt from salt
water taken into the plant by osmosis.
2. Hollow tubes that move air from the leaves into
the roots.
3. Relatively long rhizomes that allow the plant to
quickly colonize new areas.
Emergent plants: Plants have their roots under the
water while their leaves are exposed to the air
above the water. However, the amount of plant
exposed is determinant on the tides.
Spartina paten
Also known as salt meadow cordgrass
Found in mid-high zones in the marsh,
cannot withstand prolonged saltwater
emersion.
Look at the plants under the hand held
magnifying glass. Sketch the plants on the
back of your salinity worksheets.
Additional Activitites
 Observe two different plants
 Take a trip to a salt marsh
 Research paper on the marsh plants
Activities related to plants and their functions meet most life science
benchmarks for third grade
Activities related to plants and their functions meet most life science
benchmarks for fourth grade
SC.5.L.15.1 Describe how, when the environment changes,
differences individuals allow some plants and animals to survive
and reproduce while others die or move to new locations.
SC.5.L.17.1 Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by
animals and plants that enable them to survive in different
environments such as life cycles, variations, animals behaviors and
physical characteristics.
Erosion
The wearing away of the land surface by the
action of wind, water, ice or gravity
Shoreline Erosion: The temporary or
permanent loss of sand from a beach
or dune system
Problems with Erosion
Sediment pollution
Loss of vegetation and shoreline habitats
Release of nutrients
Stressed fish and wildlife populations
Oxygen depletion
Loss of underwater habitats
This demonstration allows
for students to observe the
different amount of erosion
that can occur in different
vegetated areas.
3 plastic bottles
3 containers to catch runoff
Soil
Mulch
Water
Sod or seeds
String
Watering can
Ruler/piece of wood
Erosion Demonstration
Additional Activities




Measuring erosion around your school
Charting the erosion before and after restoration
I spy game for signs of erosion
Research on erosion control
Benchmarks
SC.3.N.1.3 Keep records as appropriate, such as pictorial,
written, or simple charts and graphs, of investigations
conducted.
SC.3.P.10.2 Recognize that energy has the ability to cause
motion or create change.
SC.4.L.17.4 recognize ways plants and animals, including
humans, can impact the environment.
Sc.4.E.6.4 Describe the basic differences between physical
weathering (breaking down of rock by wind, water, ice,
temperature change, and plants) and erosion (movement of
rock by gravity, wind, water, and ice).
SC.5.P.10.2 Investigate and explain that energy has the
ability to cause motion or create change.
Majority of the Math Common Core Standards can be addressed
when covering erosion.
Habitats found in the Watershed
The Choctawhatchee watershed has a variety of habitats ranging from seagrass
beds, to wetlands, to freshwater springs to pine flat wood forests. This allows
for an array of animals to thrive in our ecosystem.
Choctawhatchee Bay watershed is a biological diversity hot spot. There are
multiple fish, plants, animals, and mollusks that are special to our specific
watershed
The Endangered species act lists 2 fish found in our watershed, the Okaloosa
Darter and Gulf Sturgeon, as endangered. The Gulf Moccasinshell,
Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse and Red-Cockade woodpecker also are
endangered species that require a healthy ecosystem in order to survive.
Gulf Sturgeon
The Gulf Sturgeon is an anadromous fish, inhabiting coastal rivers from
Louisiana to Florida during the warmer months, and the Gulf of Mexico
and its estuaries and bays in the cooler months
Although they are bottom feeders, feeding primarily on macro
invertebrates, this fish can jump 6ft out of water.
Only found in 6 small streams that drain to the Choctawhatchee Bay.
94% of the darer’s habitat is found on the Eglin Reservation.
Reached the endangered list because of habitat degradation, soil
erosion, runoff and competition with the brown darter.
1 to 2 inches long. Preferred habitat is clear, free flowing streams
among vegetation and woody debris
Okaloosa Darter
Additional Activities
 Compare/Contrast Native
plants
 Food Chain
 Invasive Species Game
 Encourage research
projects on local
ecosystem
 Salt Marsh Players
 Predator/Prey
 House for a Hermit Crab
Benchmarks
SC.3.L.15.1 Classify animals into major groups
(mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods,
vertebrates and invertebrates, those having live birth and
those which lay eggs) according to their physical
characteristics and behaviors
SC.3.L.17.1 Describe how animals and plants respond to
changing seasons.
SC.4.L.16.2 Explain that although characteristics of plants
and animals are inherited, some characteristics can be
affected by the environment.
SC.4.L.16.3 Recognize that animals behaviors may be
shaped by heredity and learning.
SC.5.L.15.1 Describe how, when the environment
changes, differences individuals allow some plants and
animals to survive and reproduce while others die or move
to new locations.
SC.5.L.17.1 Compare and contrast adaptations displayed
by animals and plants that enable them to survive in
different environments such as life cycles, variations,
animals behaviors and physical characteristics.
Osprey: Hunts fish by diving into local waters
Gulf Flounder
The Gulf Flounder uses the sandy
bottom for camouflage. Being a
bottom dwelling animal, the
flounder eyes our found on top of
their head. This adaptation helps
protect the fish.
Gulf Flounder
Gulf Pipefish
The Gulf Pipefish is a
relative of the seahorse.
Like the seahorse, the male
carries the eggs. Pipefish
live in the seagrass beds
throughout
Choctawhatchee Bay. They
can sway with the
movement of water,
imitating the blades of
grass.
Gulf Pipefish
Pink Shrimp
Althought called Pink Shrimp, these shrimp are typically gray, to brownish red
in color. You can ientify Pink Shrimp by their long antennas which can be three
times the length of their body. These are often found in seagrass beds
throughout Choctawhatchee Bay, and use the estuary as a nursery.
Blue Crab
The Blue Crabs back legs are shaped like a paddle which helps the crab swim
through the water. The Blue crab receives its name because of their blue claws.
The female crab has red highlights on the tips of their claws.
Blue Crab
Oysterfish
Also known as a Toadfish, oysterfish have a strong broad jaw that can break open
oysters and other hard shells. After the female lays her eggs in a sheltered
location, the male will guard the eggs until they hatch.
Spider Crab
Tiny hairs, which cover the spider crab’s brownish shell, attract algae,
sponge, seaweed, barnacles and debris, and sometimes they use their
claws to attach various items to their shells for hiding. This crab is slow
moving and relies mainly on camouflage for defense against predators.
Watershed Articles
3rd Grade: Plant Predators
National Geographic
4th Grade: Hanging by a Thread
Scholastic Professional Books
5th Grade: Saving Wetlands
http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/2005/03/saving-wetlands-2/
BENCHMARKS:
For all the grades, the articles meet the Language Arts Common Core Standards.
Teaching from a range of complex text is
optimized when teachers in all subject
areas implement the following strategies
on a routine basis:
1. Ensuring wide reading from complex
text that varies in length.
2. Making close reading and re reading of
texts central to lessons.
3. Emphasizing text-specific complex
questions, and cognitively complex
tasks, reinforce focus on the text and
cultivate independence.
4. Emphasizing students supporting
answers based upon evidence from the
text.
5. Providing extensive research and
writing opportunities (claims and
evidence).
Brittany Tate
Education Coordinator
Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance
109 Greenway Trail
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
200-4174 office
217-5382 cell
[email protected]