Habitat Sense
Habitat Sense is the analysis of a stream reach’s physical qualities. Students survey a pool, riffle, or glide, and look at dimensions, substrate, woody material, fish cover, and other factors that determine how the site might be used by aquatic life.
NGSS: HS-LS2-6, HS-LS2-7, HS-LS4-6, HS-LS4-5, HS-ESS2-5, HS-ESS3-1
WA SCIENCE Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs): 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2
Measuring the stream to understand habitat types
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- List steps of stream habitat survey methods
- Discuss the features a healthy stream must have
to support aquatic life - Sketch a reach of stream in all its complexities
Concepts
- Use of survey instruments to measure habitat
- Habitat components: pools, riffles, and glides
- Stream complexity as a sign of suitable habitat
Classroom Materials
Classroom Pre-work Activities:
- Habitat Sense Vocab – (MOST RECOMMENDED)
- Dynamic Water (PDF)– Students learn the habitat components of pools, riffles, and glides, and how fish use these habitats.
- Ring Around the Rock (PDF)– Students understand the concept of embeddedness and how it can affect aquatic life.
- Stream Mapping (PDF)– Students discuss the components of a stream reach and illustrate and map an imaginary reach or the school grounds.
- Be a Biologist…Back in the Office (PDF)– Students analyze a completed stream survey, interpret results, draw conclusions about the health of a surveyed stream, and/or write an authentic stream survey report.
Field Day Materials
“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.”- Rachel Carson