Biology GT watersheds

Ecology unit

Watershed

An area or ridge of land that separates waters flowing to different rivers, basins, or seas

Estuary

The zone of transition or mixing between the a partially enclosed body of water and the ocean

Biotic

Living organisms(things) within an ecosystem

Abiotic

Non-living components(things) within an ecosystem

Wetlands

A place where land is covered by water either seasonally or permanently

Tributary

A River or stream feeding into a larger stream/lake

Eutrophication

A process where a body of water has too much nutrients, leading to an algae overgrowth that can deplete the water’s oxygen

Dead Zone

Areas of low dissolved oxygen that cannot support living things

Hypoxic

An oxygen deficiency within water

Anoxic

An absence of oxygen within water

Point pollution

Any single identifiable source of pollution where pollutants are discharged

Non-point pollution

Pollution that comes from runoff from rain and snowmelt that gets carried into waterways

Indicator

A measurement or value that gives you an idea of what something is like

BMI

Sensitive organisms that live on the bottom(or bottom sediments) of bodies of water

Nitrogen/Phosphorus

Key nutrients used by organisms to synthesize protein or to help organisms grow

Algal bloom

A rapid increase in the density of algae within an aquatic system

Infiltration

The downward entry of water into soil

Permeability

The ability of a substance to allow gases or liquids to go through it

Runoff

The draining away of water(or substances carried within it) from the surface of an area of land

Degradation

The permeation of a liquid into soil

List four types of pollution affecting the Chesapeake Bay

Phosphorus/Nitrogen pollution, bioaccumulation, overharvesting, and sediment accumulation

How are BMIs (Benthic Macroinvertebrates) used to monitor water quality?

High BMI populations indicate good water quality, while low numbers suggest poor water quality.

How is a dead zone created?

Excess nutrient pollution causes algal blooms, which use up oxygen when they die, creating oxygen-depleted waters.

How does soil compaction contribute to runoff and erosion?

Compacted soil reduces water absorption, increasing surface runoff and erosion.

List at least four methods being used to improve the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Methods include reducing nutrient pollution, restoring wetlands and forests, oyster reef restoration, and installing green infrastructure.

What states and districts are included in the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, New York, and Delaware.

Give an example of point pollution

A pipe discharging waste directly into a river

Give an example of non-point pollution

Rain runoff from agricultural fields carrying fertilizers into a stream.