SPLASH

Discovery Journal

into Science

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThis Splash Into Science Discovery Journal features activities developed by the WorldStrides staff in surveying the best available wildlife biology, ecology, restoration ecology, and ecosystem management curricula offered by educational and scientific organizations throughout the nation. We wish to acknowledge the many individuals who assisted us with this effort.

Special thanks to the Course Leader team for their guidance, encouragement, and use of program materials. They have provided us with enthusiastic support and offers to “test drive” our activity plans. We also wish to acknowledge our many educational partners in Florida, especially Dolphin Cove, Everglades National Park, Island Dolphin Care Center, The Turtle Hospital, and Pennekamp.

In case of emergency If you have lost contact with your group or need assistance for a medical condition, injury, or any other emergency, please call a staff member immediately at the toll-free number listed below.

In Florida call 1-800-999-4542 This number should be used for emergencies only. When you call, please be prepared to give your name, the number you are calling from, your location, your group name or teacher’s name, and the reason for the call. The person you speak with will give you further instructions.

©WorldStrides 11/13 PO#122103583C

User’s Guide ....................................... 2

Features of Your Discovery Journal................................ 3

Survival Guide South Florida Survival Guide .................. 6Where the Heck are We?? ...................... 8

OrientationOrientation Activities ............................ 12Nature Photography ............................. 14

Swamp SoundsEverglades National Park ..................... 16Wetland Animals .................................. 17Alligator Adaptions .............................. 20Florida Exotic Species ........................... 22Everglades Restoration ......................... 23

Marine HabitatsKayaking ............................................. 25South Florida Marine Habitats .............. 26Seagrass ............................................. 28Shallow Hardbottom ............................ 28 Dissection ............................................ 29Snorkeling ........................................... 30Coral Reefs .......................................... 31

Marine LifeInvertebrates ........................................ 36Invertebrate Biodiversity Program .......... 38Squid Parts Chart ................................. 39Dolphins ............................................. 41Dolphin Anatomy ................................. 42Marine Mammal Training ..................... 43Operant Conditioning and You! ........... 44Sharks ................................................ 45Shark Biology ..................................... 46Reef Fish ID ........................................ 49Sea Turtles .......................................... 51

How Can We Help? ............................. 55Turtle Power! ........................................ 56Close-Up Shots .................................... 57

Water QualityPlankton .............................................. 59

Further ExplorationNature Writing ..................................... 63Eco-Tourism Debate ............................. 67

SustainabilityA Sustainable Lifestyle .......................... 70Ecological Footprints ............................ 71Action Figure: Jacques Cousteau .......... 72Tips for a Sustainable Lifestyle .............. 73Sustainability Myths De-Bunked! ........... 74Action Figure: Jay Shafer ...................... 75Renewable Resources in Sustainability ... 76

Bonus Pages!Team Challenges ................................ 78Bucket Activity ..................................... 79Taking Field Notes .............................. 80 Action Figure: Julie Fontaine ................ 81Water Testing ...................................... 82Action Figure: Clean Water for Cameroon .86Water Quality 101 .............................. 88Lifespan of Garbage ........................... 90

Eco-Pedia .......................................... 91

Notes ................................................. 94

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1

USER’S GUIDE

To make the best use of your Discovery Journal:�Personalize your journal! These are your thoughts,

observations, and research. Own it, and be proud!

�Bring your Discovery Journal with you for every activity in the field.

�Include as much detail as possible. There is plenty of space throughout the journal (as well as in the Notes section at the end) to take your own notes or draw your own sketches.

�Familiarize yourself with the “Tools of the Trade” and the “Features of your Discovery Journal” sections that follow.

TOOL PURPOSE

Discovery Journal Keeping a journal is an important part of fieldwork. A scientist uses one to keep track of observations, thoughts, and ideas, and to provide a permanent record of what is going on in the natural world. Your Discovery Journal is both a space to record your thoughts and observations and a resource to help you find out more about the topics you are researching.

Pens, pencils It is difficult to record your observations without a writing utensil! Be sure to keep extra pens or pencils with you.

Camera A digital camera is perfect for documenting animals, plants, landscapes, and other adventures. Be sure to note the time, date, and location of your photos for future reference. Check out the Lights, Camera, ACTION! tips throughout your Discovery Journal for photography hints.

Teammates In the field, scientists often collaborate—or work together—in order to accomplish a project or help each other with an experiment. Your Course Leader will divide you into teams that you will work with throughout the week as you compete in various challenges. The Conservation Points that you earn in these challenges can be used to purchase items for your “skit kit” to help you with your final project.

= Lights, Camera, ACTION!

Tools of the Trade In order to be an investigator, you should keep the following tools of the trade with you at all times whenever you go out for an adventure.

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FEATURES OF YOUR DISCOVERY JOURNAL

Taking A.C.T.I.O.N.Chances are great that you may be familiar with the scientific method from your science classes, but let’s take a quick refresher on the steps: ask a question, do some research, make a hypothesis, perform an experiment, analyze your results, and come up with a conclusion. Within this journal, there are ACTION steps that you will take that will help you go beyond the scientific method to get you on your feet and actively taking action to save your planet. ACTION stands for:

A Ask a questionC Collect informationT Test it out I Investigate (what can be done

or what it means)O Offer a solution to the questionN Next steps

ACTION Figures Throughout your journey in South Florida, you’ll find people who pursue some exciting career paths. ACTION Figures appear throughout your Discovery Journal to highlight some of these careers. Whether it’s a profession that you’ve never heard of before or a profession that you’ve had your heart set on for years, read all about the interesting job opportunities that await you. When you return from your program, find more information about careers that interest you online.

Lights, Camera, ACTION! This is sure to be an adventure that you’ll want to document, and your Discovery Journal offers professional-quality photography tips. Whenever you see the camera icon, keep your eyes peeled

for photo opportunities using the advice provided in your journal.

The Eco-pedia A little rusty on your science vocabulary or concepts? No need to worry! A handy reference tool appears at the back of your Discovery Journal—something we like to call the Eco-pedia. Check here if you are unsure of a term or idea or if you want a more in-depth explanation. Topics are organized alphabetically.

Notes! Take note… Though there is space throughout your Discovery Journal to record your observations and thoughts and areas to make sketches, we’ve provided some extra blank pages for you at the end of the journal, as well.

Essential QuestionsThroughout your trip, you will work with your peers and Course Leader to answer the following questions:

1. Why do wetlands attract such a diverse range of wildlife? How have different species adapted for wetlands living?2. What role does biodiversity play in maintaining the integrity of Florida wildlife? How do organisms rely on each other for survival?3. How are Florida ecosystems impacted by human factors? What threats do human activities pose to these environments? How do conservation efforts contribute to a solution, and what are some practical ways that you can help?

= Lights, Camera, Action!

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FLORIDA MAP

4

South Florida Survival Guide

Where the Heck Are We??

SURVIVAL GUIDE

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Survival Guide

SOUTH FLORIDA SURVIVAL GUIDE

Welcome to Florida, the Sunshine State! With so much to do and see in the warm tropical climate, it’s no wonder that 1,000 new people move to Florida every day!

While here, you will explore Florida’s wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, the wildlife that inhabits them, and the ways that human action impacts these environments. This means getting up close and personal with dolphins, mangrove swamps, recovering sea turtles, and coral reefs to discover the importance of conservation and taking action to protect these ecosystems. But before you go off to save the world, here are some fast facts you should know about living in South Florida and the Keys!

Wear SunscreenDid you know that suntan lotion was invented in Florida? In 1944, pharmacist Benjamin Greene cooked shea butter (found in many lotions) in a pot on his wife’s stove.

He came up with a sticky, red, jelly-like substance that eventually evolved into what we know today as Coppertone® Sunscreen. Because Florida is relatively close to the equator, the sun’s rays are more intense than most other parts of the United States. To protect your skin, be sure to wear sunscreen every day and reapply every couple hours, especially after swimming or sweating.

Get Your Groove OnFlorida is a melting pot for music. With a lot of Caribbean influences, music in Florida includes conga, rumba, merengue, reggae, calypso, steel drum, disco, dance, hip-hop, Miami bass, rap, and techno!

Keep Up With Fabulous FashionMiami is a fashion forward city that boasts great shopping amidst huge international trade, but Florida’s sense of style goes far beyond the shopping district.

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Survival Guide

Enjoy the Heat, but be Ready to EvacuateFlorida is known for its warm, humid, and tropical climate that attracts many visitors who love the sunshine, especially in the winter. It rains almost every day for at least a couple minutes, so you may want to keep an umbrella handy. It has only snowed once in Miami back in 1977. But this warm, humid weather makes Florida particularly susceptible to hurricanes, which can cause significant wind and water damage. When a hurricane hits, many residents of southern Florida evacuate northward to higher elevations.

Cheer for Your Favorite TeamWhether you enjoy football, basketball, baseball, soccer, or even hockey, Florida participates in most American professional

sports leagues. Florida is home to the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Miami FC, Florida Marlins, and the Florida Panthers. Popular colleges and universities include the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of Miami, Florida Institute of Technology, Rollins College, and Jacksonville University.

DID YOU KNOW? Though the main flavor and texture component in conch soup is the slimy, delicate conch, other ingredients vary depending on the region but can include green bananas, cucumbers, yams, lemons, tomatoes, carrots, or coconut milk.

Survival Guide

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Everglades National ParkThe Everglades, a large area of wetland swamp, is considered one of the biologic wonders of the world. The Seminole Indians, one of the Native American tribes to inhabit the Everglades, called it Pa-hay-okee, which means “grassy water.” The Everglades are special because there is no other place like it in the world! But the Everglades contain one of the highest concentrations of endangered animals. While visiting the Everglades, you will use all of your senses to explore the sights and sounds of this National Park. Start thinking about the ways in which humans can help preserve this wild wetland!

Key LargoKey Largo is the largest island in South Florida and is one of the 1,700 islands that make up the Florida Keys, which were originally inhabited by the Calusa and Tequesta Native Americans. When Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon found the islands he called them cayos, which means “small islands.” Over time, “cayos” became “keys,” as we know them today. Key Largo is the longest of all the Keys and is known as the “dive capital of the world” for its lush underwater life. You will spend a great deal of time here both in and out of the water.

WHERE THE HECK ARE WE??

Feeling lost? Read more about your destination and some of the exciting inclusions that may be part of your program!

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Survival Guide

John Pennekamp

Coral Reef State ParkThe John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is home to the United States’ first underwater state park. It is named for John D. Pennekamp, a newspaper writer at the Miami Herald in the 1950s who was very concerned about taking care of Florida’s coral reefs and the aquatic wildlife that lives there. While at Pennekamp State Park, you will explore life both in and out of the water. Snorkeling will let you see the reefs and fish up close, while a hike through the mangrove swamps will expose you to native birds and other animals.

Dolphin Cove and

Island Dolphin CareDid you know that dolphins can blush? Animals of all shapes and sizes have adapted to live in their own ecosystems, and dolphins are no exception. At Dolphin Cove and Island Dolphin Care you will see just how great a connection dolphins and humans can have.

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Survival Guide

Turtle HospitalSeveral years ago, an unusually large number of sea turtles were showing up on beaches or floating lazily in the waters off the Keys with a severe illness. Scientists were very concerned and brought them to the Turtle Hospital for treatment, where scientists were able to nurse some of them back to health. The Turtle Hospital is a motel turned hospital designed to rescue and rehabilitate injured sea turtles. You will go behind the scenes at the hospital to see x-rays, learn about conservation efforts, and care for the turtles.

Curry Hammock State ParkLocated amidst Florida’s middle Keys, Curry Hammock State Park is a great place to learn about the seagrasses and water that sustain the biodiversity in Florida. Creatures large and small rely on the seagrass marshes to provide food, shelter, and a safe place for their young. Seagrasses can also tell us how clean and healthy the water is. These are powerful and important plants!

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Survival Guide

ORIENTATION

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ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES

One of scientists’ greatest resources in the field is other scientists! Before you head out into the swampy marshlands and soothing waters of South Florida, spend some time getting to know your Course Leader and teammates for the week. You may go through any of the following activities with your Course Leader:

Story Telling IcebreakersAs you introduce yourself, tell a story about something in your life—the possibilities are endless! Tell about something you like to do, something you are good at, the best meal you ever ate, the first time you went on an adventure, the story of your name, your favorite animal, where you see yourself in 5 years, a family vacation, or any other suggestions your Course Leader or peers provide.

South Florida/Everglades TriviaAs your Course Leader reads various statements about South Florida, move to the designated part of the room to indicate whether you believe that statement is true or false. Take note here of the especially interesting or unusual facts that you hear!

Pop Quiz!As your Course Leader reads the questions, write your responses below.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

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ORIENTATION

A Florida Food WebYour Course Leader will assign each of you an element of the Florida food chain. Your task is to determine who eats whom while connecting everyone together with a ball of string. Once your “web” is created, your Course Leader will ask you some questions about connections and interdependence.

Team SortHang onto your food chain element card! To find out who is on your team throughout the week, sort yourself into groups based on what “level” of the food chain your element can be found: plankton, fish, birds, mammals, or nonliving elements. Be sure to give your team a name and keep track of the Conservation Points you earn throughout the week in the chart on the following page.

ORIENTATION

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NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

It is often useful to include photographs with your field notes to provide visual images that you can refer back to while documenting your observations. Being an adventure photographer is all about telling a story, and as an adventurer you have a front row seat to the ACTION!

The Rule of ThirdsOne of the most basic rules about taking strong photographs is “the rule of thirds,” or the “tic-tac-toe rule.” Mentally divide your viewfinder or LCD monitor into nine equal-size squares, like a tic-tac-toe grid. Compose your picture with your subject—the thing you are photographing—centered on one of the four intersecting points. This will help you compose more professional portraits.

You will have lots of opportunities to take photos in Florida. Whenever you see the Lights, Camera, ACTION icon in your Discovery Journal, keep your camera ready because you will likely encounter some picture-worthy moments that you won’t want to miss. Photography tips, such as those used by National Geographic photographers, are included throughout your Discovery Journal, but here are a few basics to get you started.

Keep it SteadyA perfect picture can be ruined if you accidentally move the camera at the time you press the shutter, or, when you’re taking the picture. To prevent blurry images, keep your camera steady!

Take Care of Your EquipmentIn salt water areas, there is also salt in the air. This salt can damage your camera, so take care to clean your lens with a soft cloth each day. It’s a good idea to keep your camera in a plastic bag with a tight seal when not in use, especially when you’re on the water in a boat or on a hike. Consider using a hip pack or shoulder strap so that your camera is easily accessible and less likely to fall. Above all, protect yourself! Remember that no photo is worth risking your own safety.

DID YOU KNOW? The aperture stop on your camera is the stop that determines the ray cone angle, or equivalently the brightness, at an image point.

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ORIENTATION

SWAMP SOUNDS

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EVERGLADES

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

The Everglades National Park covers 1.4 million acres of South Florida and welcomes over one million visitors each year. The Everglades is the largest designated wilderness east of the Rocky Mountains and is the largest continuous stand of sawgrass prairie in North America.

Prior to human population, the Everglades was actually a free-flowing river, forming from the over-filled Lake Okeechobee. The Everglades has the most significant breeding grounds for tropical wading birds and has over 230,100 acres of mangrove forest–the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere. By 1947, the Everglades was able to open under National Park classification in order to help preserve the ecosystem, and conservation acts continue to be initiated today.

Facts and statistics about Everglades National Park• Parts of the park’s boundaries extend beyond land and out to sea.• It is 1,508,529 acres in size (roughly 1,140,825 football fields).• It is home to more than 1,000 seed-bearing plants, over 350 sighted bird species,

over 100 species of marine fish and 30 species of freshwater fish, over 50 species of reptiles, over 40 species of mammals, and hundreds of other insects, spiders, and smaller creatures.

• Fifteen animal species in the park are currently classified as endangered.

What is the main function of the Everglades National Park? What are the major threats to this ecosystem?

Where did this wetland ecosystem begin?

What are various acts/measures to preserve the Everglades?

Why is it important to keep the classification of “national park” for the Everglades?

Where are the other two major single-system wetlands?

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EVERGLADES

WETLAND ANIMALS

Nocturnal animals have adapted in different ways to communicate and thrive at night. Here are some animals you might encounter in the Everglades at night.

FrogsThe three most common frogs found in the Everglades are the pig frog, the bullfrog, and the leopard frog. Froggers, people who make a living out of catching frogs, say that the best way to find a frog in the dark is to look for the reflection of light off of the frog’s eyeballs. Careful listening can also help you distinguish between the three in the dark.

Common Frogs in the Everglades

Leopard frogs are small and get scared easily. They are often found in the grasses near water and, when startled, will leap into the water. Listen for a small splash as you walk by waterside brush.

Bullfrogs are large frogs, weighing up to 3 pounds. They come alive at night making a noise that sounds a lot like a pig grunting. When extremely startled, bullfrogs also jump into the water, but because they are heavier, they usually make a bigger splash than the leopard frog.

Pig frogs make a grunting sound, like the bullfrog. They are slightly smaller than the bullfrog and have different coloration, especially in the face.

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EVERGLADES

The Northern yellow bat is one of Florida’s larger bat species. It roosts alone and prefers to roost in the dead palm fronds of Sabal palms, but can also be found in Spanish moss. These bats are often seen foraging around street lights on beetles, flies, damselflies, flying ants, and other insects.

The Brazilian free-tailed bat is Florida’s most abundant bat. It lives in large colonies ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Its diet consists of moths, flies, and beetles. This bat has a scent gland that emits a musky odor, which can be recognized from a distance.

You can find 13 species of bats that are either year round or seasonal residents to Florida. These species are all insectivores. Occasionally an accidental species will come up from the south to the Everglades and Florida Keys whose diet is nectar, pollen and fruit.

BatsBats are the kings of nighttime travel. Using their unique echolocation, (sending a call into the environment and listening for the echo that returns from various objects) bats stalk the night skies looking for insects, fruit, nectar and/or pollen. Contrary to popular belief, bats are very calm creatures. If a bat appears to be flying toward your head, it’s not trying to mess up your hair; it’s probably after a mosquito flying right above your head! Though humans cannot hear the echolocation noises, bats do emit a high-pitched squeak that you might hear before you see the bat. It’s easy to mistake a flying bat for a bird, just remember that bats seem to fly more spastically and most birds are sleeping at night.

Common Bats of Florida

DID YOU KNOW? Despite the saying “blind as a bat,” bats are not blind, though most bats do have poor vision.

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EVERGLADES

Alligators and CrocodilesThe Everglades is one of the only places in the world where you can see both alligators and crocodiles. Both are nocturnal animals that stalk their prey—fish, frogs, snakes,

turtles, and birds—along shorelines rich with vegetation. For larger prey, these reptiles will drown their prey before eating it. The major difference between an alligator and a crocodile is the shape of the jaw. Alligators have a wide, U-shaped snout, like a shovel, while crocodiles have a more pointed, V-shaped snout. This difference also impacts the placement of teeth. When an alligator’s mouth is closed, the bottom teeth are almost completely hidden while the top teeth hang down over the sides. Even though an alligator’s jaws are super strong, once its mouth is closed it can be held closed by bare human hands!

Burmese PythonsThe Burmese Python is not a native species of the Everglades, but in 2009, scientists counted over 150,000 of these snakes roaming the Everglades. Once a popular pet, some pythons grew too big for their owners to handle so they released their snakes into the wild. Burmese Pythons thrived in the wetlands and reproduced quickly because they could swim, climb trees, and creep through thick brush. Because it is a nonnative species, the Burmese Python is a threat to the Everglades ecosystem, as they can eat native endangered animals such as the Florida panther. That’s right—Burmese pythons can grow up to 20 feet in length and can easily swallow birds, dogs, bobcats, and panthers. They’ve even been known to swallow

alligators whole: one Burmese Python was found trying to digest an alligator it had swallowed, but the gator was too big and the python’s stomach exploded!

This python ate a pregnant sheep!

DID YOU KNOW? The temperature of an alligator’s nest will determine the sex of the babies. A nest over 93 degrees Fahrenheit will cause males to hatch; below 86 degrees will be females. Temperatures in between this range will produce a mix of males and females.

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EVERGLADES

ALLIGATOR ADAPTATIONS

Use the following table to gather information on the ways in which the alligator has adapted to thrive in its habitat. Search for at least three characteristics for each adaptation category

ADAPTATION CATEGORY ALLIGATOR CHARACTERISTICS

Transportation/Move About

Reproduction

Protection

Eat/Drink

Temperature Regulation

Discover more about alligators, their adaptive characteristics, and their importance in Florida ecosystems here!http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/facts/

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EVERGLADES

Read and remember!

What do the sounds you heard tell you about the types of organisms that survive in the wetlands at night?

What were the loudest sounds?

The quietest sounds?

What sounds were farthest away?

Which sounds were closest?

Which sounds were pleasant to listen to?

Which sounds were unpleasant?

Were you able to identify any of the animals making these sounds?

Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish can be active at night. During your walk, which animal class was most active? Why might this be?

If you didn’t know where you were, how might your sense of hearing help you determine your location (for example, how would you know if you were near water? Near people?)

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EVERGLADES

Brazilian PepperThis species originated in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, and was brought to America as an ornamental plant for people’s yards. This fast-growing plant has no predators in the U.S. and quickly displaces native species. This displacement reduces the diversity of the ecosystem and prohibits the success of other inhabitants of that ecosystem. Of all the exotics in Florida, Brazilian pepper is the most aggressive and widespread.

MelaleucaThis tree is endemic to Australia and was introduced in Florida in 1900 for landscaping and “swamp drying.” It grows in dense stands and a single tree produces up to one million seeds per year, making it difficult to eradicate. This tree out-competes native vegetation, destroying habitats such as sawgrass marshes and wet prairies. The State of Florida spends between $3 million and $6 million each year controlling this plant.

Exoctic Species

FLORIDA EXOTIC SPECIES

Exotic species can also be classified as invasive. According to the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, “invasive exotic pest plants are biological pollutants that wipe out more natural habitat every year than development.”

In Fiscal Year 1999-2000, the State of Florida spent $90,836,680 on exotic plant, animal, and insect control.

Florida’s unique ecosystems are altered by exotic species that render habitats unsuitable

for native species. This reduces biodiversity and puts additional strain on endangered species, of which Florida has more than any other state in the continental United States.

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SHARK VALLEY

Over the past century, vast tracks of the Everglades have been modified for agriculture and urban development. Drainage, irrigation, flood control, and other hydrology projects have transformed south Florida. While this area has become an economic powerhouse, the water quality, water flow, and natural habitat have all suffered from this development.

Historically, the Everglades were a rain-driven system. Currently, during periods of high rain, freshwater is pumped out of Lake Okeechobee through canals into fragile estuaries. As a result of drainage, an average of 1.7 billion gallons per day of freshwater is pumped to the ocean – a loss for people and nature.

To overcome the change in hydrology, federal and state organizations are working together on completing one of the largest wetland restoration projects in history – the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). It is estimated that CERP will cost $7.8 billion dollars, plus an additional $182 million annually to maintain the plan. The plan will be implemented over the next few decades. However, improvements to the ecosystem function have already been documented. For more information regarding CERP, visit www.evergladesplan.org

Historic flowmap Current flowmap CERP flowmap

Flowmaps courtesy of evergladesplan.org/education

EVERGLADES RESTORATION

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SHARK VALLEY

MARINE HABITATS

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MARINE habitats

KAYAKING

Kayaking is an easy skill to pick up because the equipment is designed to be very easy to use. Paddle at your own pace and enjoy a leisurely exploration into this watery habitat.

If you haven’t tried kayaking and you love the outdoors, then you’re in for a real treat. While kayaking through mangrove channels or out on the flats, you will experience the water in an intimate way that is not possible in a power boat. Just as in hiking, you can always stop and rest while kayaking as well. Just stop paddling for a minute or two and enjoy the silence of the natural world around you. Let your arms rest, sit back, adjust your seating, sip some water, or take

some pictures. Then continue on your way once you’re rested. It’s kayaking...not a race! Even if you don’t spend a lot of time outdoors, kayaking is a fun and challenging way to explore the world around you.

Because kayaking can allow you to get closer to some forms of wildlife than you could if you were in a motorboat or on land, there are some things you should keep in mind while observing the natural world.

Kayaking Etiquette�Keep your distance at bird and animal nesting sites—they do not like to be disturbed.�Do not chase, tease, or taunt any animals or birds.�Do not try to tip your friend’s kayak. You may think it’s funny, but everyone has

different levels of comfort on the water.�Leave no trace—be sure to bag any trash and take it with you when you’re finished.

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MARINE habitats

A habitat surrounds a population of one species and will determine species distribution. A habitat is any place that has the energy or nutrient source for the survival of an organism or its entire population. An ecosystem is composed of communities which are combinations of populations. When energy cycles with producers, primary consumers, secondary and tertiary

consumers, scavengers, and decomposers, an ecosystem is formed. A collection of ecosystems make up a biome and the biomes collectively form the biosphere of the earth. In the Florida Keys, you can find the following habitats in order from highest elevation to lowest elevation: hardwood hammock, mangrove shoreline, seagrass beds, shallow hardbottom, and coral reef.

SOUTH FLORIDA MARINE HABITATS

Habitats and ecosystems are two different components of ecology. An ecosystem can contain many different and distinct habitats. A habitat is the ecological area being inhabited by an organism.

KayakingOn our tour we will focus on the mangrove shoreline and the seagrass beds. Throughout our kayaking adventure, we are going to observe as many species within the ecosystems as we can. After your adventure, complete the following scavenger hunt by filling in the blanks where appropriate.

Hardwood HammockWe begin by kayaking by canopy species of the hardwood hammock such as the ______________, ______________, ______________, and ______________. The hammock, another word for forest, comes from the Indian word for “cool shady place.” The hardwood hammocks were cleared extensively by early Keys pioneers. They used the wood from trees like the mahogany for building homes and used the clearings to plant crops such as ________________, ________________, ________________, and other fruit trees.

Other dominant hammock trees include:

Poisonwood can be identified by the dark black stains on the bark due to the oil inthe tree.

Gumbo Limbo has an interesting bark giving it the nickname “_____________________” because it is red and peeling.

Jamaican Dogwood is known as the “____________________________________.”An early use that the settlers learned is to crush the leaves of this tree and deposit them in the water.

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MARINE habitats

Mangrove ShorelineMost people envision tropical shorelines with wide sandy beaches graced with arching palms. The natural shoreline of the Florida Keys is dominated by mangroves. There are ___________________ mangrove species in the Keys and they are vital to both the landscape and the creatures that live here. Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees found in tropical regions around the planet. Some of the dominant mangrove trees include:

Red Mangrove: This rooty tree comprises most of the natural shoreline in the Keys. Its adventitious roots are very important in both creating and preserving low-lying land in the Keys. The red mangrove is nicknamed the “walking tree” because it tends to grow more out than up, marching further into the sea.

Black Mangrove: These trees have a small gray-green leaf that is encrusted with salt on the underside. They also have an interesting root system involving roots radiating off the main trunk from which numerous pneumatophores or “____________________” protrude.

White Mangrove: White mangroves don’t have the distinctive roots of the red and black mangroves so the best way to identify them is by process of elimination. If you get close enough to one of them growing amongst the red mangroves, two small, raised pores on the leaf stem will provide a positive identification. This is where it excretes ________________.

Why are mangroves important, and what are some threats to mangroves?

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MARINE habitats

SeagrassSeagrass beds are highly diverse and productive ecosystems. They can be home to hundreds of species, including fish, free-living macroalgae and microalgae, mollusks, worms, and nematodes. Hundreds of species feed on seagrasses worldwide, including turtles, dugongs, manatees, fish, geese, swans, sea urchins, and crabs.

The three types of seagrass are ______________, ______________, and ______________.

Characteristics of these different types of seagrass are: ______________, ______________, and ______________.

Natural disturbances include grazing, storms, ice-scouring, and desiccation. Seagrass ecosystems are in global decline. The main causes of the global decline are human disturbance, mechanical destruction of habitat, and overfishing.

Shallow Hardbottom Shallow hardbottom consists primarily of algae, sea fans, and stony coral growing on limestone rock that has a thin of sand covering it. Hardbottom provides habitat to anemones, mollusks, crabs, spiny lobsters, sea stars, sea cucumbers, tunicates, and many types of fish.

Why is a shallow hardbottom ecosystem important?1.

2.

3.

What are some threats to shallow hardbottom ecosystems?1.

2.

3.

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MARINE habitats

DISSECTION: Teaching life or teaching death?

Dissection was introduced in the 1920s as a method for studying anatomy and biology because scientists and doctors realized they could better understand the pain and other conditions that animals endured if they knew the processes that were taking place internally.

The use of dissection in the classroom, particularly below the college level, causes disagreement among scientists, environmentalists, and educators. The main issue is respect for life. Animal rights activists argue that dissecting an animal devalues that animal’s life and promotes the torturing and killing of innocent creatures. Additionally, removing a creature from its habitat takes away potential food for other creatures, which, over time, can severely disrupt the ecosystem. On the other side of the debate, some educators have noted that dissection teaches us to understand the inner workings of life and therefore gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural world and the need to protect it. The debate is even more complicated when you discuss the dissection of mammals versus other species. Most arguments against dissection center around mammals like mice, rabbits, and pigs, but people seem to be less squeamish about dissecting other species like squid, starfish, or worms.

Why do you think this is?

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SNORKELING

Snorkeling is the practice of swimming at the surface of a body of water while equipped with a diving mask, a shaped tube called a snorkel, and usually swim fins. In cooler waters, a wetsuit may also be worn.

Combining these tools allows the snorkeler to observe underwater attractions for extended periods of time with relatively little effort.

The main attraction of snorkeling is the opportunity to observe underwater life in a natural setting. This may include coral reefs and their inhabitants such as fish,

cephalopods, starfish, sea urchins, and mollusks. Snorkeling is possible in almost any body of water, but snorkelers are most likely to be found in locations where there are minimal waves, warm water, and something particularly interesting to see near the surface.

Snorkeling requires no special training, only the ability to swim and to breathe through the snorkel. Before you begin snorkeling, your Course Leader will give you thorough instruction regarding general equipment usage, basic safety, what to look for underwater, and how not to damage fragile organisms such as coral. It is always recommended that you not snorkel alone. You’ll be going into the water as a group, and you should also stick with a “buddy” during your swim.

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY Light behaves very differently when you’re underwater. The flash of your camera can cause something called “backscatter,” a word used to describe the bright specs of light that show up in your photograph when your camera’s flash reflects off of suspended sediment in the water. To avoid this, try to stay in control of your movements and your buoyancy, or flotation. Also try to get as close to your subject as possible to reduce the chance of backscatter and increase the amount of light on your subject.

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tentaclenematocyst outer

epidermis

mouth

mesoglea

digestivefilament

septum

stomach

gastrodermis

coenosarc

theca

basalplate

Coral ReefsCoral reefs are found in deep, cold waters and shallow, tropical water throughout the world’s oceans. In Florida, you will find shallow water coral reefs. Worldwide, the current estimate of shallow coral reefs is 110,000 square miles, or an area slightly larger than the state of Texas.

No other ecosystem occupies such a limited area with more life forms. You can compare a reef to a rainforest as it is the only ecosystem that comes close to the amount of biodiversity found on a coral reef.

Shallow coral reefs prefer a water temp- erature in the range of 70-85 degrees F. Reef-building corals excel in clear, shallow water where the sunlight is able to penetrate to their symbiotic algae. Corals also require the water salinity to be between 32 and 42 parts per thousand. The above factors are met off the coast of the Florida Keys – and that is where we find the third largest reef tract.

Coral polyps are soft-bodied animals related to anemones and jellyfish. Their tube-like bodies are closed at one end, with a mouth opening at the other end, surrounded by flexible, stinging tentacles.

When coral polyps of the same species grow in close proximity to one another, they form a colony with each polyp joined to the one beside it. Beneath this layer of living tissue, the polyps of reef-building corals create hard “cups” of calcium carbonate. This is what we consider the hard, or stony, part of the reef. This is the coral skeleton.

As coral colonies grow, new layers of skeleton are deposited. The amount of growth in coral skeletons is determined by variations in temperature and other weather

conditions. When corals are mentioned, most people immediately think about clear, warm, tropical seas and fish-filled reefs. In fact, the stony, shallow-water corals—the kind that build reefs—are only one type of coral. There are also soft corals and deep water corals that live in dark, cold waters.

Most corals feed at night. To capture their food, corals use stinging cells called nematocysts. These cells are located in the coral polyp’s tentacles and outer tissues. If you’ve ever been “stung” by a jellyfish, you’ve encountered nematocysts. Nematocysts are capable of delivering powerful, often lethal, toxins, and are essential in capturing prey.

Forming a Coral ReefCoral reefs begin to form when free-swimming coral larvae attach to submerged rocks or other hard surfaces along the edges

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of islands or continents. As the corals grow and expand, reefs take on one of three major characteristic structures —fringing, barrier, or atoll.

Fringing reefs, which are the most common, project seaward directly from the shore, forming borders along the shoreline and surrounding islands.

Barrier reefs also border shorelines, but at a greater distance. They are separated from their adjacent land mass by a lagoon of open, often deep water.

Atolls are usually circular or oval, with a central lagoon. Parts of the reef platform may emerge as one or more islands, and gaps in the reef provide access to the central lagoon (Lalli and Parsons, 1995; Levinton, 1995; Sumich, 1996).

Importance and Protection of Coral Reefs Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and valuable ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs support more species per unit area than any other marine environment, including about 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard corals, and hundreds of other species. Scientists estimate that there may be another one to eight million undiscovered species of organisms living in and around reefs (Reaka-Kudla, 1997). This biodiversity is considered key to finding new medicines for the 21st century.

Storehouses of immense biological wealth, reefs also provide economic and environmental services to millions of people. Coral reefs provide goods and services worth $375 billion each year. This is an amazing figure for an environment that

MARINE habitats

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covers less than one percent of the Earth’s surface (Costanza et al., 1997).

Coral reefs buffer adjacent shorelines from wave action and prevent erosion, property damage, and loss of life. Reefs also protect the highly productive wetlands along the coast, as well as ports and harbors and the economies they support.

Coral reefs face numerous threats. Weather-related damage to reefs occurs frequently. Reefs are also threatened by tidal emersions. Corals exposed during daylight hours are subjected to the most ultraviolet radiation, which can overheat and dry out the coral’s tissues. Increased sea surface temperatures, decreased sea level, and

increased salinity from altered rainfall can all result from weather patterns such as El Niño. Together these conditions can have devastating effects on a coral’s physiology.

In addition to weather, corals are vulnerable to predation. Fish, marine worms, barnacles, crabs, snails, and sea stars all prey on the soft inner tissues of coral polyps. In extreme cases, entire reefs can be devastated by this kind of predation. Coral reefs may recover from periodic traumas caused by weather or other natural occurrences. If, however, corals are subjected to numerous and sustained stresses, including those imposed by people, the strain may be too much for them to endure, and they will perish.

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Read and remember!

What is coral reef composed of? Is it animal, plant, or mineral?

Why are coral reefs important?

What are some threats to coral reefs?

What are some species of coral?

What makes coral the “goldie” locks of the ocean?

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MARINE LIFE

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MARINE LIFE

INVERTEBRATES Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: EchinodermataClass: AsteroideaOrder: PaxillosidaFamily: AstropectinidaeGenus: AstropectenSpecies: Articulatus

Complete the following chart with characteristics of each phylum, examples of species belonging to each phylum, and threats to these organisms.

Porifera Cnidaria

Characteristics

Examples

Threat to organism

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Toothed whales

Squid

Birds

Fish

Primary Production

Krill

Leopard seals

Fur seals

Crabeater seals

Baleen whales

Mollusca Arthropoda Echinodermata

Characteristics

Examples

Threat to organism

There are 3 more phyla – do you know them? They are Ctenophore, Platyhelminthes, and Annelida!

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1. What animals does the phylum Porifera include, and how advanced are the organisms in this phylum? Why?

2. What animals does the phylum Cnidaria include? What type of body does a jellyfish have? An anemone?

3. What animals does the phylum Mollusca include? What class has the smartest invertebrates in the world? What animals does this include?

4. What animals does the phylum Arthropoda include? Where is an arthropod’s skeletal system?

5. What animals does the phylum Echinodermata include? What is a water vascular system and how does it help echinoderms?

Invertebrate Biodiversity Program

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BODY PART DESCRIPTION FUNCTION

Arms8 short limbs, each of which has two rows of suction cups on the lower side

Hold food while the squid bites it into digestible pieces

Beak and MouthParrot-like beak on the mouth is surrounded by the bases of the arms and tentacles

Used for biting food into small pieces

ClubsThe ends of the tentacles with sharply toothed suckers

Used to obtain a firm grip on prey

EyesA squid’s two eyes are incredibly large in proportion to its body

Helps squid to see and focus light particles

Feeding tentacles

Two longer tentacles have toothed suckers near the tip

Used for obtaining prey

FinsTwo flaps on the mantle Stabilizes squid during swimming

HeadSmall part of the body between the mantle and the arms; contains the eyes, brain, and muscular buccal mass

Central processing unit of squid; muscular buccal mass also crushes food

MantleThe large part of the squid in front of the head

Contains and protects the stomach, gills, ink sac, reproductive organs, and many digestive organs

SiphonTube-like organ on the lower side of the head

Forcefully expels water, enabling the squid to propel itself through the sea

SQUID PARTS CHART

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Controversial topics like dissection cause a lot of us to argue amongst ourselves. Now that you have dissected a squid, reflect on the experience by exploring your feelings, what you learned, or what you believe to be the benefits and disadvantages of dissection.

Fill in the blanks using the following terms:Arms, Beak and Mouth, Clubs, Eyes, Feeding Tentacles, Fins, Head, Mantle, Siphon

SharksSharks are apex predators, meaning that they maintain the species below them in the ecosystem. They are an indicator of the oceans’ health as they remove the weak and sick from the chain below them, assuring species diversity. Sharks indirectly maintain the sea grass and coral reef habitats. By removing sharks from the coral reef ecosystem, the larger predatory fish, like groupers, increase in numbers and feed on the herbivores. With less herbivores in the ecosystem, macroalgae increases and the coral loses the competition from that macroalgae for sunlight.

Squid Ink! Sign your name!

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MARINE LIFE

DOLPHINS

What makes dolphins such unique animals that are well-suited to working with humans?

Dolphins have several unique body parts. To learn more, interview your dolphin experts! Use the following questions to get started.

How does a dolphin breathe?

Why does it look like a dolphin is always smiling?

How big is a dolphin’s ear?

What are pec-fins used for?

How fast can dolphins swim?

Other questions/answers?

Dolphin Dish• Dolphins have

80 to 100 cone-shaped teeth and they keep the same set of teeth for their entire lifetime.

• Baby dolphins, called calves, are born with several mustache hairs that fall out shortly after birth.

• Dolphins travel in packs called pods. When mother dolphins go to search for food for their young, “baby-sitter dolphins” watch the calves.

• Dolphins have extremely sharp vision, but scientists believe that they are functionally color blind.

• Dolphins swallow their food whole.

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DOLPHIN ANATOMY

Match it! Use this table to organize your knowledge about the special features and functions of dolphin anatomy. Match the part of the dolphin to its correct function.

Part of Dolphin Function/Description

Blow hole • elongated part of the mouth and jaws

Melon • hole on the top of the head through which the dolphin breathes air (it is the dolphin’s nostril)

Rostrum • one half of the tail

Eye • indentation between the two flukes

Ear • fin on the upper side of the body

Pectoral Fin • hearing organs located on the head behind the eye

Tail Fluke • sight organs located on the head

Median Notch • the rounded structure in the top of the dolphin’s head just in front of the blowholeDorsal Fin •one of a pair of wide, flat forelimbs that is used for swimming

Follow this QR code to more information on dolphin anatomy!

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MARINE MAMMAL TRAINING

Dolphins are seen as the aquatic version of man’s best friend. Although there are many instances of dolphins being friendly, we need to remember that dolphins are wild animals and usually avoid human contact in the wild.

For dolphins that live in human care, training allows keepers to monitor and care for the dolphins’ health while providing a rewarding environment that challenges the dolphins both mentally and physically. Bottle-nose dolphins adapt well to human companionship and are easily trained to perform complex tricks and tasks.

To train dolphins, many trainers use operant conditioning, a type of learning in which the dolphin’s behavior changes in response to the consequences that will follow.

If an animal considers the consequences following a behavior positive, the animal is likely to repeat the behavior.

Through positive reinforcement, the dolphins are rewarded every time they successfully perform a desired behavior. Rewards may include food, rubdowns, splashing the dolphins with water, verbal praise, or toys, and are often accompanied by the sound of a whistle. To encourage a positive relationship between the dolphin and its trainer, punishment is avoided and undesirable behaviors are ignored.

Because trainers can’t talk to dolphins, they communicate by using hand signals. Each hand signal corresponds to a specific behavior and the dolphins learn to discriminate between the different signals. It’s like conducting a symphony orchestra!

Watch for signs of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement as the dolphin experts work with the dolphins!

Record your thoughts after working with dolphins.

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OPERANT CONDITIONING AND YOU!

Have you ever behaved a certain way because you wanted or didn’t want a particular consequence? This is operant conditioning in action!

Operant conditioning is used for two purposes:

1. To reinforce or increase behavior2. To punish or decrease behavior

List some things that you are supposed to do or expected to do:

How do you get punished when you don’t do them? How do you get rewarded when you do?

Now, list some things that you are not supposed to do:

How do you get punished when you do them? How do you get rewarded when you don’t?

We know that responses influence behavior. Complete the table by telling whether behavior can be expected to increase or decrease based on the response!

ACTION RESPONSE/REACTION LIKELY TO INCREASE or DECREASE THE ACTION?

Example: Ask a question in class Get praised; get a good answer Increase!

Example: Ask a question in class Get laughed at; get misinformation Decrease!

Introduce yourself to a new classmate Make a new friend

Forget your homework Lose points on the assignment

Wait patiently in line There is no ice cream left when it is your turn

Fix your own cereal for breakfast The amount of milk is just right

Drive faster than the speed limit Never get caught/never get a ticket

Behave rudely at the dinner table Get grounded or lose a privilege

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SHARKS

Sharks are an integral part of the ocean ecosystem. Sharks sometimes carry a big bad reputation, but it is important to conserve to help protect these uniquely useful creatures.

Shark Finning: A Big, Bad Problem for the Big, Bad PredatorShark ‘finning’ involves fishermen pulling a shark on board a ship, slicing off the fin to keep, then tossing the still-living shark back overboard to bleed to death. They do this because shark fins are cooked and eaten as a delicacy in some parts of the world. Shark fin can be sold for as much as $300 per pound. The other meat is far less valuable, so the fishermen simply toss it overboard to save room for more valuable fins.

While the practice of finning is illegal, it is still responsible for the deaths of 88-100 million sharks each year. What happens if sharks die out? As apex predators, sharks are responsible for keeping other populations in the food chain in balance. For instance, they help weed out the sick and less hearty fish and mammal specifies so that their populations stay strong and healthy. Without these predators, the balance of the world’s sea life is in serious danger.

What do you think might be done to help stop shark finning? List at least 3 ideas:

Follow this QR code to get help with brainstorming from Animal Planet!

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1. What are the three scientific classes of fish?

2. What three characteristics do sharks (and stingrays) have that makes them different from other fish?

3. Where do sharks produce their red blood cells? How is this different from how humans produce red blood cells?

4. What are dermal denticles and how do they aid sharks?

Shark Biology

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5. Where do sharks live?

6. What is the Ampullae of Lorenzini? How does it help sharks?

7. Name the three shark species that have adapted to eat plankton.

8. What shark has been known for eating anything, including license plates, Barbie dolls, and knight’s armor? How is this unusual, compared to most sharks?

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9. What are three ways sharks bear young?

10. What order do sharks belong to?

11. Name three sharks found in Florida waters.

12. How are humans depleting shark populations? Give three examples.

13. How many sharks do people kill each year? How many humans do sharks kill every year, by comparison?

Shark Biology continued

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Date Name of fish Description (mouth type, caudal fin shape, color)

Description (mouth type, caudal fin shape, color)

Amount viewed

What kind of fish did you and your friends come up with?

Date Name of fish Description (mouth type, caudal fin shape, color)

Description (mouth type, caudal fin shape, color)

Amount viewed

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MARINE LIFE

SEA TURTLES

Why do turtles need to be cared for at The Turtle Hospital? What conditions lead to turtle ailments like Fibropapilloma?

As you tour The Turtle Hospital, pick some of your favorite turtles and learn more about them. For each turtle that you observe, befriend, or admire, record their information by filling in the following chart:

�Name: The turtle’s adopted name �Species: Use the species identification key on the next

page to determine what species the turtle is �Marks: Identify any distinguishing marks (such as scars,

tumors, lacerations, etc.)�Diagnosis: Describe the reason that the turtle was

admitted to The Turtle Hospital

TURTLE’S NAME SPECIES MARKS DIAGNOSIS

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Threats to Sea Turtles

Fibropapilloma (FP) is a disease that afflicts sea turtles and other animals around the world. A major symptom of FP is a large black- or white-colored growth, like a wart, that resembles a cauliflower shape. They can be small or large growths, and can be particularly dangerous when located on turtles’ eyes, obstructing their vision and threatening their ability to survive. FP growths can also occur on turtles’ internal organs, making it difficult to identify and treat. Scientists are still researching the cause of FP, but it is believed to originate from some version of the herpes virus.

Bycatching is another threat to sea turtles. Bycatching occurs when turtles accidentally get caught in fishermen’s nets or trap lines intended for other animals like shrimp or lobster. Because turtles move their fins in circular motions, they often wind netting tighter and tighter around their fins when trying to escape. Though turtles can swim successfully with the loss of one flipper, wire wrapped around a flipper usually results in amputation.

Human Behaviors can harm sea turtles, and are often the result of carelessness. Boat propellers can cause cuts or gashes to tender turtle heads and even their hard shells. When a turtle sees a colorful piece of plastic garbage floating in the water, they often confuse it for food and try to eat it. This can damage a turtle’s internal organs and block digestive passages.

Sea turtles can get caught in fishermen’s nets.

Help Sea Turtles SurviveEven if you don’t live near the ocean where sea turtles are, here are some suggestions for what you can do to help promote sea turtle survival:

1. Reduce packing that ends up in the landfill by buying in bulk.2. Reuse old containers and packaging from your every day purchases.3. Recycle all plastics, class, and metals where facilities exist.4. Clean up, participate in, and organize projects for roads, packs, and beaches.5. Eat sustainably and buy only sustainably harvested seafood.

DID YOU KNOW? The largest Fibropapilloma tumor recorded at The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, FL weighed over 3 pounds!

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Rescue, Rehabilitate, ReleaseTalk to your educators at The Turtle Hospital to find out what happens to turtles when they are rescued and brought to the hospital.

Notes:

A sea turtle is reintroduced to the wild after successful rehabilitation.

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HOW CAN WE HELP?

Using the information you have gathered from your Discovery Journal, from the X-Rays, and from speaking with The Turtle Hospital educators, make some notes about what human activities may be causing turtle illnesses and injuries and propose possible solutions for each.

HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT HARM TURTLES WAYS WE CAN HELP

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TURTLE POWER!

Wildlife Wake-up, Inc., a conservation society, has hired you to design a marketing campaign to help save Florida’s sea turtles.

They have determined that the reason people continue to harm sea turtles is because they are misinformed about the ways their actions really affect the turtles and other Florida wildlife. Therefore, they are asking you to design materials that will educate citizens without criticizing them. Wildlife Wake-up, Inc. has requested that the materials answer the following questions:

�What are humans currently doing that harm sea turtles?

�Why might these threats be dangerous to both turtles and humans?

�How can humans change their behavior and make good choices to help the turtles?

With your team, design your campaign materials to promote awareness and education about things humans can do to prevent sea turtle illnesses and injuries. Be creative in your design. You might make a brochure, poster, slideshow, or podcast. Make your campaign convincing because sea turtles cannot speak for themselves. You are their voice!

Brainstorm ideas for your team’s turtle conservation campaign:

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CLOSE-UP SHOTSIn photography, a close-up shot can be used to show details and intimacy, without the context or background. Here are some tips for taking effective close-up shots:

• Get close to your subject, if you can.• Set your camera to “macro” or close up

mode (often indicated with a flower). A digital zoom is an alternative, but the details will not be as clear in the photo.

• Keep your subject centered in the middle of the frame. For close-up shots, you generally do not need to abide by the rule of thirds.

• If you can, turn off the flash and rely on other light sources.

With these tips in mind, try taking some close-up shots of your own, such as turtle injuries or FP tumors.

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WATER QUALITY

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WATER QUALITY

PLANKTON

The first link of the marine food chain, plankton are organisms that drift on or near the water’s surface.

Plankton can be roughly divided into two groups: producers and consumers. Like plants, phytoplankton are capable of photosynthesis and thus rely on the sun’s energy to produce their own food. About 90% of all photosynthesis and production of usable oxygen on Earth takes place in the oceans, making phytoplankton not only the first link in the marine food chain, but also largely responsible for the clean air we are able to breathe today! Consumer

plankton, called zooplankton, get their meals by eating phytoplankton, but are then eaten by larger fish and whales.

Though plankton range in size, many are so small they must be viewed with the aid of a microscope. Because they are so small and still call the open ocean their home, plankton have adapted to survive the powerful ocean currents and lack of hiding places.

Part of the secret to plankton survival is their ability to float. Phytoplankton need sunlight for photosynthesis and so must remain in waters shallow enough for sunlight to penetrate. In the ocean, this is called the photic zone. Because zooplankton eat phytoplankton, they too must remain in shallow waters.

PHYTOPLANKTON Autotrophs; photosynthesizing microscopic organisms that live near the surface and are recognized as the bottom of most marine food chains.

ZOOPLANKTON Heterotrophs; animal plankton transported by currents, many which have moving parts to assist with vertical migration to avoid predators or increase encounters with prey.

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WATER QUALITY

Begin by drawing a shape inside

the circle.

How will it eat?If it makes food from the sun,

color your shape green.

Describe the chloroplasts of the plant cell.

Draw chloroplast

shape: circular, crescent,

blobs, oval, stringy, or fan-shaped.

How are they arranged? Stacked,

unstacked, spiral, scattered.

Entangles and engulfs them:

draw filaments, stinging and sticky

hairs, bristles.

If it catches other plankton,

give your shape a mouth.

How will it catch them?

Chases and catches them:

draw eyes, claws, gills,

antenna, limbs, and mouth parts.

Will it float? Draw wings, filaments,

or shapes to help it.OR

Will it swim? Draw cilia or flagella

to help it.

Check one box

Your plankton’s name is:

Plankton RaceIn teams, you will be given materials to design your own plankton. Use the following graphic organizer to help you think about what to consider when designing your own plankton. The longer it takes your “plankton” to sink, the more Conservation Points your team earns.

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WATER QUALITY

Phytoplankton and Zooplankton

PhytoplanktonA and B Phytoplankton, C-L Diatoms, M-S Dinoflagellates

ZooplanktonA Fish egg, B Fish larva, C Radiolaria, D Foraminifera, E Jellyfish, F Arrow worms, G and H Copepods, I Salp, J Doliolum, K Jellyfish, L Worm larva, M Fish larva, N Tintinnid, O Foraminifera, P Dinoflagellate

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WATER QUALITY

FURTHER EXPLORATION

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Further Exploration

Nature writers reflect on their observations in the natural world to write about what it means to be living amidst such wonder. Nature writing is about the constant relationship between humans and the environment. It is about living with nature through our respect, understanding, and awe of its beauty.

As you read Annie Dillard’s essay on mangrove trees, notice how she makes the trees come to life by describing them as “homeless.”

NATURE WRITING

Nature writers take part in a different kind of observation. They study the natural world as closely as scientists, but the emphasis is on their personal reactions to what they see.

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Further Exploration

NATURE WRITING BY ANNIE DILLARD

I have seen mangroves, always on tropical ocean shores, in Florida and in the Galapagos. There is the red mangrove, the yellow, the button, and the black. They are all short, messy trees, waxy-leaved, laced all over with aerial roots, woody arching buttresses, and weird leathery berry pods. All this tangles from a black muck soil, a black muck matted like a mud-sopped rag, a muck without any other plants, shaded, cold to the touch, tracked at the water’s edge by herons and nosed by sharks.

It is these shoreline trees which, by a fairly common accident, can become floating

islands. A hurricane flood or a riptide can wrest a tree from the shore, or from the mouth of a tidal river, and hurl it into the ocean. It floats. It is a mangrove island, blown.

[…] Trees floating on rivers are less amazing than trees floating on the poisonous sea. A tree cannot live in salt. Mangrove trees exude salt from their leaves; you can see it, even on shoreline black mangroves, as a thin white crust. Lick a leaf and your tongue curls and coils; your mouth’s a heap of salt.

Nor can a tree live without soil. A hurricane-born mangrove island may bring its own soil to the sea. But other mangrove trees make their own soil—and their own islands—from scratch. These are the ones which interest me. The seeds germinate in the fruit on the tree. The germinated embryo can drop anywhere—say, onto a dab of floating muck. The heavy root end sinks; a leafy plumule unfurls. The tiny seedling, afloat, is on its way. Soon aerial roots shooting out in all directions trap debris. The sapling’s networks twine, the interstices narrow, and water calms in the lee. Bacteria thrive on organic broth; amphipods swarm. These creatures grow and die at the trees’ wet feet. The soil thickens, accumulating rainwater, leaf rot, seashells, and guano; the island spreads.

If survival is an art, then mangroves are artists of the beautiful: not only that they exist at all—smooth-barked, glossy-leaved, thickets of lapped mystery—but that they can and do exist as floating islands, as trees upright and loose, alive and homeless on the water.

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Further Exploration

More seeds and more muck yield more trees on the new island. A society grows, interlocked in a tangle of dependencies. The island rocks less in the swells. Fish throng to the backwaters stilled in snarled roots. Soon, Asian mudskippers—little four-inch fish—clamber up the mangrove roots into the air and peer about from periscope eyes on stalks, like snails. Oysters clamp to submersed roots, as do starfish, dog whelk, and the creatures that live among tangled kelp. Shrimp seek shelter there, limpets a holdfast, pelagic birds a rest.

And the mangrove island wanders on, afloat and adrift. It walks teetering and wanton before the wind. Its fate and direction are random. It may bob across an ocean and catch on another mainland’s shores. It may starve or dry while it is still a sapling. It may topple in a storm, or pitchpole. By the rarest of chances, it may stave into another mangrove island in a crash of clacking roots, and mesh. What it is most likely to do

is drift anywhere in the alien ocean, feeding on death and growing, netting a makeshift soil as it goes, shrimp in its toes and terns in its hair.

Aerial Existing or growing in the air, rather than in the ground or in water

Buttress Something that gives support to a structure, like the broadened base of a tree trunk or a thickened vertical part of it

Wrest To pull, force, or move by violent wringing or twisting movements

Exude To ooze out

Plumule The primary bud of a plant embryo

Lee Area of protected shelter

Amphipod Small crustacean animals, such as the sand flea

Guano A fertilizer containing the accumulated excrement of seabirds or bats

Whelk A large marine snail

Limpet A marine mollusk with a shell that clings tightly to an object when disturbed

Pelagic Describes objects that live in the open sea, such as birds

Wanton Extravagant, without limitation

Pitchpole To turn or fall over, end over end

Stave To crush or break inward

Tern Marine bird related to the seagull

Glossary

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Further Exploration

While you are kayaking today, observe the scenery around you with the eye of a nature writer. If you are able, jot down some notes about what you are seeing or feeling so that you will remember later.

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Further Exploration

ECO-TOURISM DEBATE

Eco-tourism is a much-discussed topic. Your instructor will divide you into two groups in order to debate this issue and brainstorm solutions. For the debate, you and your group will either be agreeing or disagreeing with the following statement: Eco-tourism is a beneficial way to educate people about the natural world.

Using the articles your instructor gave you as a starting point, here is some information to help you prepare for your side of the debate:�Review the information you have and think

of three points that support why you agree or disagree with the issue.

�Think about what the opposing side might say and preempt their arguments.

�Propose any changes or solutions your group has to offer to correct the issue or find a way to compromise so that everyone is happy.

PROS CONS

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Further Exploration

Calling All KayaksIf you loved kayaking and want to do it again, here are some of the top sea kayaking spots in North America, valued for their closeness to nature, abundant wildlife, and opportunities for all skill levels:

�Outer Banks, North Carolina�Down East Islands, Maine�Pictured Rocks Lakeshore, Michigan�Prince William Sound, Alaska

�Glacier Bay, Alaska�Baja, Mexico�San Juan Islands, Washington�Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada

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SUSTAINABILITY

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SUSTAINABILITY

A SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE

Sustainability is the ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes, functions, biodiversity, and productivity. A sustainable lifestyle is one that does not use natural resources faster than the Earth makes them available. This requires living in balance with the Earth’s natural cycles to preserve the Earth for future generations.

A Sustainability Parable A young girl’s grandfather once told a parable about catching a monkey. “It’s very easy to catch a monkey,” he begins. “First, find a coconut and hollow out the inside. Fill it with rice. Drill a small hole in the top, but secure the nut so it cannot open. The hole should be big enough for the monkey to put his hand in, but too small for him to pull out a fist full of rice. Climb a tree and wedge the rice-filled coconut in between the branches. Along will come a monkey who will insert his hand into the nut to grab some rice. Congratulations, you have caught a monkey!” “But Grandfather,” the girl mused, “when you go to pet the monkey it will run away!” Grandfather replied, “My child, if the monkey relaxes his grip and takes less rice, he will be free. But until he can learn to take less, he will be stuck. We must take only what we need.”

What do you think about the message of this parable?

How does the message of the parable relate to your daily life?

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SUSTAINABILITY

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINTS

Imagine walking along a beach. Your feet leave footprints in the sand that do not immediately disappear. A true ecological footprint refers to the amount of land or sea required to provide humans with resources and to absorb human wastes, given our current knowledge of technology.

Biocapacity refers to the amount of land or sea that is actually available for production of resources and absorption of wastes. There are many online calculators that can determine how much carbon dioxide you produce or how much water you consume, and though these are important factors to a sustainable life, a true ecological footprint compares how much humans are using with how much is available for them to use.

As the graph shows, humans are currently using up Earth’s natural resources and turning them into waste faster than Earth can

turn those wastes back into natural resources! It is estimated that if current practices of consumption continue, by the year 2050 humans will be demanding twice the Earth’s biological capacity. That’s like needing two Earths to meet our needs and desires! And in case you haven’t checked the solar system recently, we’ve only got one Earth.

If, however, we drastically reduce our consumption and energy use by making smarter, more earth-friendly decisions in our lives, we will be closer to maintaining the one Earth that we do have.

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1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 05

Humanity’s Ecological Footprint, 1961-2005

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SUSTAINABILITY

ACTION FIGURE: JACQUES COUSTEAU, OCEAN ACTIVIST

The Cousteau legacy lives on through Jacques’ children and grandchildren.

Perhaps one of the most famous ocean explorers of our time was Jacques Cousteau, celebrated for his dedication to exploring and preserving the world’s ocean habitats. Today his children and grandchildren

continue to carry out this mission. Jacques’s son, Jean-Michel, along with his children Fabien and Celine, run Ocean Futures Society, a nonprofit organization that works to promote clean water and sustainable fisheries, as well as the preservation

of coastal marine habitats and marine mammals. Their day-to-day activities range from underwater photography and exploring life beneath the oceans to educating others about the connection between humans and the ocean. Two other grandchildren, Philippe and Alexandra, co-founded an environmental leadership program called EarthEcho International that seeks to educate our nation’s youth by providing service-learning opportunities that inspire taking action on behalf of the world’s oceans. Alexandra also established Blue Legacy, an organization designed to tour the world educating others about water, inspiring people to take meaningful action on critical water issues.

Jacques Cousteau

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SUSTAINABILITY

TIPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLE

Food

üChoose meat carefullyFactory-fed beef cows require massive amounts of natural resources such as water, grain, wheat, and grass, and produce a lot of solid waste which, in such large quantities, is a major pollutant.

Factory-farmed cows are often treated inhumanely.

üChoose organicOrganic produce is grown without the use of pesticides and other harsh chemicals, which means they are less harmful to you and to the soil where they are grown.

üChoose localLocally grown foods travel less distance from the farm to your plate, so they are more environmentally friendly because less transportation is involved.

Plus, you are supporting your local economy.

Transportation

üChoose bicyclesBicycles are the most efficient and the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation. They use no natural resources and carry people great distances with little effort.

üChoose smaller carsCars, especially large cars, are not very efficient and therefore not very environmentally friendly. They use a lot of natural resources and fuel to provide for the needs of a small number of people.

Carpooling cuts down on the number of cars being used.

üChoose public transportationBuses and other public transportation are environmentally friendly because they carry more people at one time, decreasing congestion and the need for new roads.

Look for public transportation that uses biofuels or hybrid technology.

Energy Use

üChoose recyclingRecycling limits the amount of garbage in landfills and reduces the amount of natural resources required to make new materials such as glass, paper, plastic, and metal.

üChoose less packagingBuy products that use little packaging or natural resources.

Buy in bulk to reduce packaging.

Bring your own re-useable bags when you shop.

Buy products that are made with recycled materials.

üChoose efficiencyEnergy-saving light-bulbs such as LEDs and high-quality compact fluorescents are a worthwhile investment.

Low-flow or dual-flush toilets save water.

Low-flow showerheads and sink faucets can keep you clean while saving water. They are readily available and easy to install.

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SUSTAINABILITY

SUSTAINABILITY MYTHS DE-BUNKED!

Test your knowledge.

TRUE OR FALSE? MARK “T” OR “F” IN THE SPACE TO THE RIGHT

Recycling is important, but sustainability is not just about recycling. The most important areas of sustainability are energy and transportation.

Sustainability means making do with less.

New technology is not always the answer. Sometimes we can re-conceptualize new uses for existing technology.

Technically, we’re not running out of landfill space. But using the land however we want means that other ecosystems will be threatened.

The trucks that collect recycling do not burn more energy and produce more pollution that recycling saves. It takes over twice as much energy to manufacture new products than it does to manufacture products from recyclables. And it takes only 4% of the energy used to manufacture new products to transport and convert recyclables into useable form.

Increasingly, all the paper, plastic, metal, and glass that are dumped in recycling bins are sorted by machines, reducing cost of labor.

New infrared technology is available to sort plastics into appropriate types.

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SUSTAINABILITY

ACTION FIGURE: JAY SHAFER,TINY HOME ENTHUSIAST

Since 1997, Jay Shafer has been improving the world of art, architecture, housing, and low-impact community living.

Jay’s foray into tiny home building began when he built his own house. The whole house is a total of 89 square feet, smaller than some people’s closets! Jay was concerned about the environmental impact of a larger house and the amount of unnecessary energy he was using and paying for.

Today Jay builds tiny houses for others using high quality materials that take advantage of natural lighting and conserve energy, thereby significantly reducing a home’s ecological footprint. Jay’s own house is on wheels, which means he can hitch it to his truck and tote it around the country, wherever the wind takes him, and educate others about his tiny houses. And if the lower environmental impact of this house isn’t enough for you, just think about how much faster you’d be able to clean your room!

What are some of the benefits of having a smaller home?

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SUSTAINABILITY

RENEWABLE RESOURCES IN SUSTAINABILITY!

A renewable resource is a natural resource that can be replenished by the Earth over time. Since they do not deplete the Earth’s resources, these resources cause less harm to the environment. Wind and Solar Energy are two clean forms of energy production that does not pollute the environment.

Wind Energy

Wind is created by the uneven heating of water and land. When the warm air over land expands and rises, the heavier cooler air rushes to take its place, creating wind. A turbine uses rotating blades to generate energy. Wind power uses turbines to generate energy. This energy is mostly used for electricity powering everything from farms and homes to schools and sometimes your local grocery store.

Solar Energy

Solar Energy is created by harnessing the suns power to make energy. Have you ever held a magnifying glass in the sunlight? It will quickly heat up what is underneath. Sunlight is a clean renewable source of energy that can be used almost every day. Through the use of solar panels, the suns light can be converted to energy that can heat your water or cool your home.

In what 3 ways do you live a sustainable lifestyle?

What 5 changes could you make daily to increase your sustainability?

What to know your ecological footprint? Check online athttp://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/gfn/page/calculators/and see just how much impact you have on Earth’s resources.

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BONUS PAGES!

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TEAM CHALLENGES!

Give your team a name and keep track of the Conservation Points you earn throughout the week in the chart below.

Throughout the week, you and your teammates will have the opportunity to win Conservation Points in various challenges. Your Course Leader will

sign you off at the end of each day. The more Conservation Points you earn, the more advantages your team may have throughout the trip. Good luck!

Team Name _________________________________________________________________

DAY POINTS EARNED REASONS EARNED COURSE LEADER SIGNATURE

1

2

3

4

5

Total

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BUCKET ACTIVITY!If time permits, your group may do the “bucket activity.”

What is it?This activity is a fun test for your group to improve on various skills you may use every day. The skills you will test are communication, leadership, and problem solving.

What will you do?In this activity you will be asked to transport water from one bucket to the other. These buckets are sitting inside a circle that is 60’ in diameter. Your team will be given several ropes and a circular bungee to navigate the water from one bucket to the other.

The rules:You have 45-60 minutes to complete this task.You may not enter the circle at any time. You may not spill any amount of water.Variation/Option: The people handling the ropes may be blindfolded.

Take time to think:What are some creative solutions?In what ways do you think your group can accomplish this task?How can you be most helpful to your group?What are the most effective forms of communication in this activity?Who are the natural leaders?

Let’s discuss…Did your group succeed at the activity?Did you have trouble communicating? If so, what did you change throughout the activity?How did it help (or could it have helped) you to succeed? Who emerged as a leader? Did this leader help push you in the right direction?Did your teammates have good ideas?How many techniques did you try?Did everyone stay engaged throughout the activity?How did your group react to the challenge?Did your group handle conflict? If so, did you do it well?

Take home:How can you change your communication to be more effective on a daily basis?Did you discover strengths you didn’t know your teammates possessed?Did you learn some new strategies that you can use at home or in school?

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What does it mean to take field notes? Why is it important to notice details?

TAKING FIELD NOTES

Scientists record field notes following the observation of their subject.

Your Course Leader will direct you to a location to observe and practice taking field notes for three minutes. Record as much as you can about the environment around you, using as many of your sense organs as you can. Use this space to practice taking your own field notes.

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Action Figure: Julie Fontaine, Restoration Ecologist

The current definition of ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been damaged or destroyed. Restoration ecologists often study ecology, plant biology, or soil studies in college and work to manage watersheds, restore habitats, and develop policies for land use.

Julie Fontaine is a habitat restoration ecologist in California. On any given day you might find her testing soil to restore habitats, formulating a stormwater pollution prevention plan, measuring water quality, or educating others about preserving natural resources when planning construction projects in major cities. Julie serves as a link between the human world and the natural world by studying and advising others as to how these two worlds can work together in sustainable ways.

NONNATIVE SPECIES VS. BIODIVERSITY

When a nonnative species invades an ecosystem, such as the Burmese Pythons in the Everglades, you might ask, “isn’t this a good thing? Isn’t this increasing biodiversity?” Good question!

Biodiversity is valued because it helps an ecosystem remain stable, especially during times of natural disaster. Things like water purification, pollination, soil fertility, diversity of life, and even the increased opportunity for medical discoveries all occur naturally because of the interdependencies of organisms within an ecosystem, or the ways in which the organisms rely on one another for survival.

However, when a nonnative species becomes dominant, native species can eventually die off, disrupting the ecosystem’s natural functions. The same goes for nonnative plant species—as nonnative plants compete for space to grow and crowd out the native plants, animals who relied on the native plants for food and shelter might eventually die off, thus threatening the animals who relied on those animals, and so on.

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WATER TESTING

According to the United States Geological Society (USGS), water quality is a term used to describe the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water. Water quality can be measured scientifically; however, it depends on the user as to how you define what “good” water quality is.

For example, the water quality may be good enough to wash a car but not good enough to drink. The water quality of natural bodies of water determines if they are suitable habitats for aquatic plants and animals.

Water quality is measured by studying the chemistry or assessing the life found in the water. Standards and guidelines are established to protect water for designated uses such as drinking, recreation, agricultural irrigation, and protection and maintenance of aquatic life. Natural water quality will vary from place to place based on the geology, seasons, and climate. Humans can alter water quality by participating in various activities such as development, farming, mining, combustion of fossil fuels, stream channel alteration, and animal-feeding operations.

During your Splash into Science program, you will participate in water testing activities that help you learn more about water quality and how it impacts the habitat around you.

In coal mines, miners used to take canaries down into mine shafts with them to alert them when the air quality was particularly dangerous. If the air quality was bad, the canary would stop singing or die, which was a sign for the miners to get out as fast as possible. Sea grass functions as sign of a healthy ecosystem, much like the canary in the coal mine. If the health of the sea grasses is suffering, it is a sign that other wetlands life forms – plants and animals – are in danger, often as a result of human pollution activities. Intervention steps should be taken right away!

To create a profile of the health of a body of water, a variety of tests are performed, each an important piece of the puzzle. As you perform each test, you are not only a scientist, you are a detective, and a doctor, working to piece together the clues of what the water is trying to say to you about how well it is able to support the organisms that call it home.

Imagine that you are babysitting a baby brother or sister who has not yet learned how to talk. All of a sudden the baby starts crying and simply won’t stop. How do you figure out what’s wrong? You might take him

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or her to the doctor and the doctor will check the baby’s eyes, ears, nose, or throat, listen to his or her chest, pinch fingers, etc. and eventually pronounce what illness the baby has and what treatments you should follow.

In a way, water quality testing allows you to take on the role of the doctor or nurturing babysitter. Earth’s waters are crying out to you! But before we can propose a solution, we have to figure out what’s wrong—we have to know what the symptoms are before we can prescribe a treatment.

TemperatureWhy does it matter how warm or cold the water is? Water temperatures outside of the “normal range” can harm the aquatic organisms that live there. Water that is colder allows more oxygen to flow and helps aquatic organisms like fish to breathe more easily. Warmer water temperatures can cause an increase in plant and algae growth which may harm the ecosystem by choking out necessary nutrients. In general, when the water temperature becomes too hot, organisms become stressed, which in turn lowers their resistance to pollutants and diseases.

What causes temperature changes?The biggest threat is water that is too warm. Though Florida’s waters are warmer than others because of its proximity to the equator, its water can become still warmer in several ways:

�Thermal pollution—Many industries use river water in their processes. Though the water is usually cleaned and treated before it is returned back to the river, it is often warmer than it was before. Additionally, runoff from paved parking lots and rooftops is warmer from sitting

DID YOU KNOW? NTU’s or Nephelometric Turbidity Units are the units we use when we measure Turbidity. The term Nephelometric refers to the way the instrument estimates how light is scattered by suspended particulate material in the water. Fish become injured when exposed to water with a turbidity of 25 NTU or more. During a flood, turbidities can jump to well over 100 NTU but will usually settle down after a day or two. The EPA requires turbidity in drinking water not to exceed 5 NTU.

in the sun and will increase water temperature as it seeps through the ground back toward the stream, pond, or marsh.

�Lack of shade—Shade from trees prevents sunlight from warming a body of water directly and too quickly. Human activity that removes trees from the waterside allows sunlight to reach the water more easily and warm it.

�Water depth–—The air around a body of water can also affect the water’s temperature. Shallow bodies of water warm and cool more quickly than deeper bodies of water. When humans fill in ponds or lakes to get rid of excess dirt or trash, the depth of the water can change, increasing the temperature of the water.

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pHWhat is pH and why is it important?Water contains tiny particles of hydrogen and hydroxide ions. The amount of each ion present in the water determines the pH value, reported on a scale of 0-14. Aquatic organisms are extremely sensitive to the pH of their environment. Even the smallest changes in pH can endanger plants and animals. If the pH of the water is outside of their desired range, the organisms may not survive or reproduce, threatening the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

What causes pH to change?The pH of a body of water changes as different chemicals enter the water, such as acid rain, increased algae, hard-water minerals from runoff, chemicals released from industrial processes, and decomposing matter.

TurbidityWhat is it and why is it important?Turbidity refers to how clear or cloudy the water appears; the cloudier the water, the higher the turbidity. Water becomes cloudy when there are a lot of extra particles floating around, off of which light bounces. When water is very cloudy, the sunlight is able to warm the water more quickly, which can lead to the problems with warmer water temperatures as discussed in the Temperature section.

What causes changes in turbidity?There are many factors that increase water’s turbidity:

• Soil erosion• Runoff from urban areas like parking lots

and roads• Sewage

• Decomposing plant/animal matter• Gasoline or oil from roads

Dissolved OxygenWhat is it and why is it important?We all need oxygen to breathe. Organisms that live in the water rely on oxygen that has dissolved into the water in order to breathe. Dissolved oxygen (DO) refers to the amount of oxygen gas that has successfully incorporated into aquatic environments.

What causes changes in dissolved oxygen levels?Dissolved oxygen increases when water flows over rocks, when water churn because of waves and wind, and when aquatic plants perform photosynthesis—the conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen gas with the help of the sun. DO levels are also influenced by the time of day. At sundown, photosynthesis stops, but animals continue to breathe, causing a decrease in DO levels. For this reason, you can expect DO levels to be lower in the morning than in the afternoon.

NitratesWhat is it and why is it important?Nitrogen is an element that occurs naturally on Earth. All living organisms need nitrogen to survive. Nitrates can also be manufactured by humans when they produce fertilizers. Elevated levels of nitrates in water used for drinking can contribute to Blue-Baby Syndrome, a disease in which nitrates prevent oxygen from circulating through the blood, often causing death.

The average turbidity in the Everglades is _________?

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High levels of nitrates can also contribute to excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae, resulting in foul-tasting water, bad odors, and increased turbidity.

What causes changes in nitrate levels?The major source of nitrate pollution comes from agricultural areas where the manure from livestock kept in feedlots seeps into the ground and back into the water. Man-made fertilizers also run off from crops into the water.

SalinityWhat is it and why is it important?Salinity is the measure of how much salt is in the water. It is particularly important to evaluate the salinity of bodies of water where freshwater mixes with seawater because aquatic organisms have varying abilities to survive depending on the salinity level.

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They set out to Cameroon, a country in Africa, to design and create a sustainable water filtration system for the citizens of a village called Tourou. They worked with the villagers, Peace Corps volunteers, a business major, and an environmental science major to use local materials—clay and flour—to create a series of kiln-fired bowls that filter out dangerous water contaminants. The project was originally designed as a college thesis project, but Jason and Brooke have returned to Cameroon several times to continue the project, teach the children about the importance of clean water, and catch up with the villagers. The Clean Water for Cameroon Project is an example of problem-solving, sustainability, and building relationships that contributes to the happiness of all.

Action Figure: The Clean Water for Cameroon Project

When University of Virginia engineering students Jason Manto and Brooke Yamakoshi learned that 1/6 of the world’s population does not have access to clean water and that waterborne diseases are a leading cause of death in developing countries, they took action.

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There are several characteristics we can test to assess water quality. Using the water samples or locations you are given, complete the chart below to help you record the values for each of the following measures.

What? Why? Value

WaterTemperature

Species tolerate temperatures differently.

pHThe acidity of the water must

be between 5.6-8.5 for aquatic organisms to survive.

Nitrates

Nutrient needed by plants. Animals eat plants and die,

decomposing and producing nitrates.

DissolvedOxygen

(DO)

Amount of oxygen in the water from aquatic plants undergoing photosynthesis

during the daylight.

Salinity Concentration of salt in the water.

Phosphate

Found naturally in rocks but also produced by human

sources including fertilizers, pesticides, and detergents.

Turbidity

The clarity of the water determines the amount of

light that can penetrate to the aquatic plants beneath the

surface.

Test Site 5

Test Site 4

Test Site 3

Test Site 2

Test Site 1

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WATER QUALITY 101

Water quality affects people all over the world. How does human activity affect water quality?

Citarum River PollutionShown above is one of the dirtiest rivers in the world—the Citarum River, located in Indonesia, a series of islands in southeast Asia. Just a few years ago, the waters were clean and the local villagers used the river for fishing and rice paddies. In the 1980s, as industry boomed, the 500 factories

lining the river began leaking toxic chemical waste into the river. Further, there is no curbside trash pick-up service like you might have at home. This means that families and businesses dump their trash and waste directly into the river, claiming they don’t have anywhere else to put it. Unfortunately, for most of the population, the Citarum is the only source of water nearby, so people continue to collect the water to drink, cook with, and wash their clothes. And what about the trash? Because fishing is no longer an option, the people in this photo are sifting through the trash looking for objects they might salvage and sell.

And by the way……we’re actually running out of water! Or are we? Though 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, 97% of that is salt water. Of the remaining 3% freshwater, only 1% is available for human use (by

What does the Citarum have to do with me? Wealthier countries often pay poorer countries to take away the wealthy country’s trash on large boats. Electronics are a major culprit. As the technology that we use every day such as cell phones, computers, and iPods, becomes outdated, we toss them in favor of newer models. Outdated electronic equipment takes up a lot of space in our country’s trash load. So the next time you throw something away, think about where it might end up, and instead of contributing to the problem, recycle or reuse as much as possible.

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human use, we mean water that is drinkable). That’s like removing 1 tablespoon of water from a filled gallon jug of water. If you and five friends tried to share that 1 tablespoon of water for all of your daily needs, that would represent the drinkable water on Earth.

Technically speaking, water is not disappearing from the Earth. In fact, thanks to the closed nature of the water cycle, the water that is on the Earth today is the same water that was around when dinosaurs roamed! (Refer to the Eco-pedia at the back of your Discovery Journal for a refresher on the water cycle). The problem is that more and more humans are polluting the water that is useable, forcing us to find alternative ways to treat our water so that it is drinkable.

What are the uses of water?Of course we need water to drink, but we use water for a lot of other things as well. The three major water use areas are below. Rank them 1-3 with 1 using the most water, 3 using the least:

___ Industry___ Domestic (showering, cooking, etc.)___ Agriculture

Water is EssentialHave you ever thought about what’s really in water? We need it to survive, fish and other creatures live in it, but have you ever thought of it as anything besides a clear, brownish, or bluish liquid?

In fact, there are millions upon millions of particles in our water. The presence or absence of certain organisms and chemicals can tell us how “healthy” the water is and whether it is good for animals and humans to live in or drink.

DID YOU KNOW? The water that is on the Earth today is the same water that was around when the dinosaurs roamed! The problem is humans are polluting that water more and more.

Beef with Burgers

• Between feeding cattle, watering plants, and producing bread, it takes 634 gallons of water to make a hamburger.

• The average North American uses 105.7 gallons of water each day for domestic uses alone. The average citizen of a developing country, like Mozambique, uses 1.3 gallons of water each day.

• 1/6 of the world’s population does not have access to safe water. 2/5 of the world’s population does not have access to adequate sanitation of their water.

• As of 2007, the countries with the least available water included Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, and the Bahamas.

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Lifespan of Garbage

Item Decomposition time

Paper towel Two to four weeks

Orange peel Two to five weeks

Newspaper Six weeks

Apple core Two months

Plywood One to three years

Wool sock One to five years

Cigarette filter One to five years

Plastic bag 10-20 years

Nylon fabric 30-40 years

Leather 50 years

Tin cup 50 years

Foam plastic cup 80 years

Aluminum can 80-200 years

Disposable diaper 450 years

Plastic bottle 450-500 years

Monofilament fishing line 600 years

Glass bottle 1,000 years

Please help us keep our environment clean and healthy. We need your help to keep our state parks beautiful natural places for everyone to enjoy for many years to come. Please don’t litter.

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ECO-PEDIA

Adaptation an adjustment or change in the physiology, structure, or behavior of an organism to become more suited to its environment

Amphibian an endothermic vertebrate that spends its early development in water and its adulthood on land, only returning to the water to reproduce

Aquifers groundwater stored in porous rock that transmits water to wells and springs. The permeability of the rock and precipitation affect the recharge rate of the aquifer and the speed at which the groundwater is pushed up into springs

Benthic ecology the study of bottom-dwelling organisms in marine ecosystems. Important for recycling nutrients and decomposition

Biodiversity a wide range of organisms coexisting within a particular habitat, or in the world as a whole

Condensation water droplets form clouds when humid air reaches high altitudes

Conservation the responsible use of resources to sustain the environment

Dichotomous Key a classification tool used in the biological sciences to identify organisms based on quantitative (values or numbers of) and qualitative (physical descriptions of) characteristics.

Ecological niches microhabitats to which organisms adapt, usually referring to how they acquire food

Ecosystem dynamic relationship between all living (plants, animals, microorganisms) and nonliving (sun, water, air quality) things in a given area or environment

Ectotherm an animal whose body temperature changes according to environment, like reptiles and amphibians

Endotherm an animal whose body temperature is regulated through controlled internal heat, like mammals

Endangered species species that are threatened with extinction. The “Endangered Species Act” requires the U.S. federal government to identify and help to protect the species and their habitat.

Estuarine areas on coast where fresh and salt water meet (mangroves)

Evaporation water from lakes, rivers and oceans turned into water vapor by the heat of the sun, then humid air is drawn upward through convection

Extinction the permanent loss of a species. Largest threats in Florida- habitat destruction through air and water pollution, draining of wetlands, the clearing of forests for human developments

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Groundwater drinkable water stored underground in aquifers.

Habitat the natural home of an organism where the species is as adaptive as possible to its environment.

Invertebrates animals that have no spinal columns and use other means of support, such as shells or exoskeletons. 98% of species on Earth are invertebrates, some of the most common are sponges, mollusks (soft body and hard shell- snails, clams, slugs), and arthropods (exoskeleton, segmented body with appendages on every segment- crustaceans like crabs, lobsters, shrimp.)

Magnetic field The magnetic region surrounding the Earth, with the magnetic poles near the North and South poles.

Mammal an endothermic vertebrate that has a four-chambered heart, fur or hair covering its skin, and has young that are milk-fed from their mothers’ bodies

Mangrove forests tropical coastal trees or shrubs adapted to live in saline and estuarine environments with above-ground root systems that look like stilts. They trap sediments, nutrients, and pollutants running off the land and protect the shore from erosion and storm damage. They also provide nursery grounds for reef, shore birds, and ocean fish.

Marine shorelines, shallows and sea beds.

Palustrine Forested (swamps and marshes).

Percolation/infiltration Water travels underground through tiny cracks in the soil and fills holes in the limestone, refreshing groundwater supply which flows out through springs.

Phytoplankton single-celled algae. At the bottom of food chain, provide nourishment and regulate carbon levels. Two main species—Diatom (silica skeleton, pillbox shape, single or in chains) and Dinoflagellates (flagella for mobility).

Plate Tectonics The theory that Earth’s outer shell is made up a series of oceanic and continental plates about 50 miles thick, called the lithosphere, which move in response to convection currents within the mantle. The interaction between plates at their boundaries form islands and mountain ranges, and can also cause seafloor spreading, earthquakes and volcanic activity. There are three different types of boundaries:Divergent the plates spread apart causing seafloor spreading as new material is added to the oceanic plates. Convergent Plates meet and one is dragged down, or subducted, beneath the other. Also called Subduction Zones. Transform Fault One plate slides alongside another. Ex: The San Andreas Fault Zone.

Precipitation rainfall

Recharge basin land area where rainwater is absorbed through percolation and replenishes springs

Reptile an ectothermic vertebrate with lungs and scaly skin

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Riparian freshwater alongside rivers and streams

Runoff when water cannot be absorbed, as with clay, it flows into bodies of water. In Florida, rainfall usually soaks directly through sand and limestone bedrock

Species a group of organisms that can mate with each other and produce offspring which can breed

Speleogenesis during percolation, carbonic acid forms in water from exposure to carbon dioxide and dying vegetation, and the acidic water dissolves limestone as it travels through cracks to form caves and caverns underground

Springs a water resource formed when a body of groundwater is intersected at or below the water table or surface, causing water to overflow from an aquifer onto the land. The amount of water flowing from a stream depends on the size of the basin, the water pressure in the aquifer, and the amount of precipitation.

Surface Water water on top of the ground in oceans, reservoirs, lakes, rivers, and streams

Taxonomic Classification scientific classification of organisms from the largest category of classification (Kingdom) to the smallest (Species.) Kingdom>Phylum>Class>Order>Family>Genus>Species. Here’s an acronym to help you remember: King Phillip Came Over From Great Spain

Transpiration Plants absorb water from the soil, removing nutrients and

pollutants, then “breathe” it back into the atmosphere through leaves and stems.

Vertebrates animals that have a vertebral column or spine, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish

Water Column a vertical section of ocean, lake, or river

Water Cycle see diagram on next page

Wetland an ecosystem located between land and open water where land is saturated or soaked with water, trapping silt and sediment carried in by rivers. It is a plentiful area providing breeding and hatching grounds for aquatic creatures

Zooplankton tiny animals found in oceans, lakes, ponds, and rivers. Numbers of zooplankton used to determine the health of an ecosystem (very sensitive to temperature of water, light, and nutrients or pollutants present in water.) Each species is adapted to an area’s unique ecosystem. Adaptations: flat bodies to help floatation, bright colors, transparency and bad tastes to detract predators.

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