Civil Engineering Association

Watershed Dynamics

Description:

Whether you re a stream studies novice or a veteran aquatic monitor, Watershed Dynamics gives you abundant practical resources to extend your students investigations into local water quality and land-use issues. This two-part set is ideal for teaching biological and ecological concepts and research techniques. It also shows how the interplay between scientific data and human judgment can shape public policy decisions on zoning, flood control, and agricultural practices.

The Student Edition is organized into four parts: (1) an introduction to watersheds, land use, streams, and related research; (2) 10 protocols with specific instruction on research techniques related to watersheds; (3) field studies and experiments that guide students through interactive research projects using the protocols; and (4) an engineering design challenge in which students develop a device to treat simulated stormwater runoff. Included throughout are plentiful forms that provide both structure and flexibility as they guide students through each research step. Watershed Dynamics is the final volume in the four-part Cornell Scientific Inquiry Series, designed to guide students in designing and conducting experiments, presenting their results, and exchanging feedback with their peers. See the other titles in the series: Decay and Renewal, Assessing Toxic Risk, and Invasion Ecology. Ideas For Use Public participation in water resource management requires public understanding about how water functions in natural communities, and how human activities affect the distribution and quality of this precious resource. One challenge a fascinating one is that just as watersheds do not respect political boundaries, watershed science does not respect disciplinary boundaries. Understanding watersheds from a policy perspective requires understanding biology, chemistry, Earth sciences, mathematics, sociology, economics, politics...the list goes on and on. For that reason, the interdisciplinary study of watersheds is often considered an advanced topic. We believe, however, that if it is approached as a foundational topic, it can provide wonderful opportunities for original research research that matters to communities of all kinds. Additional Info Science Discipline: (mouse over for full classification) Water Precipitation Analyzing data Collecting data Communicating Experimenting Interpreting data Measuring Modeling Observing Scientific habits of mind Earth's water Science process skills Intended User Role: High-School Educator, Learner, New Teacher, Teacher Educational Issues: Achievement, Assessment of students, Classroom management, Curriculum, Educational research, Informal education, Inquiry learning, Instructional materials, Learning theory, Teacher content knowledge, Teacher preparation, Teaching strategies Contents Student Edition FIGURES AND TABLES IN THE STUDENT EDITION PREFACE SciLinks SECTION 1: UNDERSTANDING WATERSHED DYNAMICS CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO WATERSHED DYNAMICS What Is a Watershed? The Water Cycle Competing Needs for Water CHAPTER 2. WHAT S IN A WATERSHED? Classifying Land Uses Effects of Land Use on Runoff Quantity Effects of Land Use on Water Quality Effects of Land Use on Habitat -Riparian Zones CHAPTER 3. BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES IN STREAMS Food Chains and Webs Stream Invertebrates Using Invertebrates to Assess Stream Quality CHAPTER 4. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF STREAMS Temperature Turbidity Stream Order Rates of Flow -Streamflow Changes over Time -Impact of Impervious Surfaces CHAPTER 5. STREAM CHEMISTRY Dissolved Oxygen -Effect of Turbulence on Oxygen -Effect of Temperature on Oxygen -Effects of Living Things on Oxygen -Effects of Organic Pollution on Oxygen pH Alkalinity Phosphorus