aquatics envriothon

I. Aquatic Ecology

a. Abiotic

1. Influence of water’s chemical properties on aquatic organisms

2. Influence of water’s physical properties on aquatic organisms

3. Influence of the surrounding land on a stream

4. Influence of the water cycle on the aquatic ecosystem

5. Identification of watersheds and river systems in Pennsylvania

6. Identification and comparison of stream order within a watershed

b. Biotic

1. Identification of aquatic organisms

2. Life cycles of aquatic organisms

3. Adaptations of aquatic organisms

4. Habitat needs of aquatic organisms

c. Community

1. Identification of aquatic and wetland environments

2. Functions and values of wetlands

3. Physical, chemical, and biological changes in the stream continuum

4. Functional feeding groups of aquatic organisms and their niche in the stream continuum

5. Energy flow in aquatic food chains

II. Aquatic Resource Issues

1. Human effects on the aquatic ecosystem

2. Impact of water pollution on aquatic communities

3. Threatened and endangered species and their impact on biodiversity

4. Introduced and invasive species and their effects on the aquatic ecosystem

III. Aquatic Resource Management and Protection

1. Commission roles in management, conservation and protection of aquatic resources

2. Regulations and how they protect aquatic animals and aquatic habitats

3. Water quality assessment

4. Water quality improvement

5. Aquatic habitat enhancement

6. Restoration of aquatic organisms

7. Aquatic resource protection at home and school

1. Aquatic Ecosystems

• Types of Water Bodies: Lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, estuaries, and groundwater systems.

• Lentic vs. Lotic Systems:

• Lentic (standing water): Lakes, ponds, reservoirs.

• Lotic (flowing water): Rivers, streams, creeks.

• Wetlands: Types (marshes, swamps, bogs, fens) and their role in water filtration, flood control, and biodiversity.

• Riparian Zones: Importance of vegetation in preventing erosion, filtering pollutants, and providing habitat.

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2. Water Quality & Testing

• Chemical Parameters:

• pH: Measures acidity/alkalinity (ideal range: 6.5–8.5).

• Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Essential for aquatic life; affected by temperature, turbulence, and pollution.

• Nutrients (Nitrates & Phosphates): Excess causes eutrophication and harmful algal blooms.

• Salinity & Conductivity: Indicates dissolved mineral content, important in freshwater vs. estuarine environments.

• Physical Parameters:

• Turbidity: Measure of water clarity; high turbidity reduces light penetration and affects aquatic plants.

• Temperature: Influences DO levels, metabolic rates of organisms, and species distribution.

• Biological Indicators:

• Macroinvertebrates: Used as bioindicators to assess water quality.

• Fish & Amphibians: Sensitive species (like trout) indicate high water quality.

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3. Hydrology & Watersheds

• Watersheds: Land area draining into a common water body; importance of watershed management.

• Water Cycle: Processes (evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff).

• Groundwater & Aquifers: Relationship between groundwater recharge, withdrawal, and contamination.

• Point vs. Nonpoint Source Pollution:

• Point Source: Direct pollution (factories, sewage treatment plants).

• Nonpoint Source: Diffuse pollution (agriculture runoff, urban stormwater).

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4. Aquatic Species & Biodiversity

• Fish Species:

• Cold-water (e.g., trout) vs. warm-water fish (e.g., bass, catfish).

• Invasive species (e.g., zebra mussels, Asian carp) and their ecological impacts.

• Amphibians & Reptiles: Frogs, salamanders, turtles—indicators of environmental health.

• Plankton:

• Phytoplankton: Primary producers, oxygen contributors.

• Zooplankton: Primary consumers in aquatic food webs.

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5. Human Impact & Conservation

• Eutrophication: Caused by excessive nutrients, leading to algal blooms, hypoxia, and fish kills.

• Pollution Sources: Agricultural runoff, urbanization, industrial discharge, oil spills.

• Best Management Practices (BMPs):

• Buffer strips, retention ponds, conservation tillage, wetland restoration.

• Laws & Regulations:

• Clean Water Act (CWA): Regulates pollutant discharge into U.S. waters.

• Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA): Protects drinking water sources.

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6. Aquatic Sampling & Monitoring

• Water Testing Methods: Using probes for DO, pH meters, Secchi disks for turbidity.

• Biological Surveys: Collecting macroinvertebrates, electrofishing for fish populations.

• Citizen Science & Conservation Programs: Waterkeeper Alliance, National Water Quality Monitoring Council.

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Final Tips

• Learn to interpret water quality charts and graphs.

• Understand how land use (agriculture, urbanization, deforestation) affects watersheds.

• Recognize key species (native vs. invasive) and their ecological roles.

• Practice identifying aquatic organisms and using water quality test kits.

DAY 1: Ecosystems, Water Quality & Watersheds

1. Aquatic Ecosystems

• Lentic systems = standing water (lakes, ponds)

• Lotic systems = flowing water (rivers, streams)

• Wetlands = natural water filters (types: marshes, swamps, bogs, fens)

• Riparian zones = vegetated buffers near water, prevent erosion, filter pollutants

2. Water Quality Basics

• pH: Ideal = 6.5–8.5

• Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Needed for fish; high temp = low DO

• Nitrates/Phosphates: High = algal blooms (eutrophication)

• Turbidity: High = murky water, less sunlight

• Temperature: Affects DO and species survival

• Salinity/Conductivity: Fresh vs salt water differences

3. Watersheds & Hydrology

• Watershed = land area that drains into water body

• Infiltration = water enters soil → groundwater

• Runoff = water flows over land → streams/rivers

• Point Source Pollution = direct (pipes, drains)

• Nonpoint Source Pollution = scattered (fields, roads)

• Groundwater: Stored in aquifers; can be contaminated

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DAY 2: Species, Human Impacts, Laws, Monitoring

4. Aquatic Species

• Cold-water fish: Trout (need high DO)

• Warm-water fish: Bass, catfish (more tolerant)

• Macroinvertebrates = Bioindicators (mayflies = clean water)

• Invasive species: Zebra mussels, Asian carp (outcompete natives)

• Amphibians (frogs, salamanders) = pollution sensitive

5. Human Impacts

• Eutrophication = excess nutrients → algae → low oxygen → fish die

• BMPs (Best Management Practices):

• Buffer strips, wetlands, no-till farming, rain gardens

• Urbanization = more runoff, pollution, habitat loss

6. Important Laws

• Clean Water Act: Controls pollutant discharge

• Safe Drinking Water Act: Protects water you drink

7. Monitoring Techniques

• DO, pH, nitrates: Tested with field kits

• Turbidity: Secchi disk (how deep can you see?)

• Macroinvertebrate sampling: Use nets in streambeds

• Electrofishing: Temporarily stuns fish to count them

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Quick Memorization Tips

• Lentic = Still, Lotic = Moving

• DO drops as Temp rises

• Macroinvertebrates = Water quality clues

• Buffer zones protect water bodies

• Point = pipe, Nonpoint = everywhere

Native Aquatic Species (U.S.)

These species naturally belong in their ecosystems and help maintain ecological balance.

Fish

• Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) – cold, clean streams

• Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) – warm freshwater lakes and ponds

• Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) – native to the eastern U.S.

• Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) – rivers and streams

Amphibians/Reptiles

• American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) – though invasive in some areas, native to eastern U.S.

• Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) – freshwater ponds and wetlands

• Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) – freshwater ecosystems

Plants

• Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) – wetland plant

• Cattails (Typha spp.) – marshes and wetland edges

• Wild Rice (Zizania spp.) – native wetland grass

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Invasive Aquatic Species

These are non-native, introduced by human activity, and often cause harm to ecosystems.

Fish

• Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) – stirs up sediment, degrades water quality

• Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) – aggressive predator, displaces native fish

• Asian Carp (Bighead & Silver Carp) – outcompete native species for plankton

Mollusks

• Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) – clog pipes, outcompete native mussels

• Quagga Mussels (Dreissena bugensis) – similar to zebra mussels

Plants

• Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) – chokes waterways

• Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) – dense mats block sunlight

• Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) – invades wetlands, outcompetes natives

Crustaceans

• Rusty Crayfish (Faxonius rusticus) – aggressive, outcompetes native crayfish