Wetlands Ecosystem Study Unit Riparian Buffers Why should we maintain or restore a riparian buffer?

Vocabulary to Master:

Riparian buffer, habitat, ecosystem, aquifer, watershed, wetland, estuary, marsh, bog, erosion, filter, groundwater,
runoff, pollution, soil, hydrologist.

Watch - Reduce Runoff: Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In - online video

Read: Bountiful Benefits of Wetland Buffers | Riparian Buffers Provide Numerous Benefits

Do: Nonpoint Source Pollution Awareness - What's Wrong with This Picture?

Evaluate - How well does your school or a local park manage runoff?

1. What observations can you make to gauge the effectiveness of the efforts?

2. Scientists are organized when they make observations. Develop an observation form.

3. Make your observations - Scientists collect data over time with repeated observations. In doing this, they strive to avoid an incorrect assessment that is based on a one time event.

Visual evidence can be very compelling. Collect some by taking digital photos or videotaping the runoff.

4. Examine you collected data. Conclude - Are the school's or parks' efforts effective?

5. Based on your findings - What should be done?

6. If you have identified a need for action - Develop a plan of action. Consider establishing a rain garden.

7. Present the plan to your Principal - PTO - School Board - Community Park Board. (Digital Science Journal)

Further thinking:

Identify a riparian area in your community. Assess its biodiversity and viability.

Your community is excited about the proposed shopping center. The builder has purchased an "empty" tract of land next to a stream. The project is being promoted because it will mean new jobs and more shopping choices. Local environmentalists are concerned about the impact of the development on the stream. Write a letter to the editor or a speech to be delivered at a public meeting that advocates for the preservation of a riparian buffer between the shopping center and the stream. Use lots of facts to bolster your argument.

Examine a Community Development Project - problem based learning

Green mapping - Identify and map riparian buffers in your community

Map and inventory a local wetland

Make a VE video about the issue. (VE Rating - Very educational making a strong use of data and critical thinking skills.)

Excellent examples: Requiem for the Honeybee from Charles Greene CSPAN Student Cam project

Down to the Last DROP from Madison Richards CSPAN Student Cam project

Why are wetlands important?

Stream Biology and Ecology

Wetlands: Habitat / Mammals / Birds / Macrovertebrates - Aquatic Insects / Plants & trees / Amphibians / Conclusions

Food Web Relationships / Wetland Ecology Vocabulary Exercise / Life Cycles / Mammal Morphology: compare - contrast

Bats are our Buddies / Amphibians Internet Activity / Riparian Buffers - investigate / Wetland Ecology Dilemmas

Eagles Evaluation / Lentic or Lotic ecosystem? / Stream Assessment form.

Citizen Science Projects - collect some data / Collecting data pdf. - doc. / Digital Science Journal

Wetland Poem Project / Wetland or Frog Song activity / Wetland Photos

Water & Watershed Studies / Water Wars / Environmental/Energy Issue Video Project

Nature / Milkweed & Monarch Butterfly Mania / Bluebirds Project / Best Treat of All / Fields, Fencerows & Meadows