MODULE/UNIT : Teacher Guide: Survival in an Estuary
Published: May 24, 2011, 12:00 am
Updated: May 24, 2011, 8:47 pm
Grade Level: High (9-12)
Time Required: 3 Hours
SUMMARY
In this activity developed by NOAA, students investigate the range of conditions that selected animal and plant species need to survive in an estuary. They examine data for abiotic factors that affect life in estuaries—salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH. Students use archived data (trend analysis graphs) and real-time conditions at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) to predict whether a particular animal or plant species could survive in an estuary.
GOALS
Students will be able to:
- Describe three types of estuarine environments.
- Describe the particular environmental conditions necessary for organisms to survive in an estuary.
- List four principal abiotic factors that influence the survival of aquatic life in estuaries.
- Determine the range of pH, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen tolerated by some common estuarine species.
CONTEXT FOR USE
Teaching Time: 3 (55 minute) class sessions + homework
Organization of the Activity: This activity consists of 4 parts which help deepen understanding of estuarine systems:
- The Estuarine Environment
- Surviving Changes: Abiotic Factors that Affect Life
- Surviving in an Estuary: Extreme Conditions
- Optional: Investigating Other NERRS sites
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS
Teacher Guide—Life Science Module
Activity: Survival in an Estuary
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Citation
Mallory Nomack (Lead Author);NOAA (Content Source); "Teacher Guide: Survival in an Estuary". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth May 24, 2011; Last revised Date May 24, 2011; Retrieved May 20, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/resources/view/166478/>
The Author
Mallory Nomack is currently a student at Boston University pursuing a combined Bachelor's/Master's degree in Energy and Environmental Analysis in the Department of Geography and Environment. ... (Full Bio)
SUMMARY
In this activity developed by NOAA, students investigate the range of conditions that selected animal and plant species need to survive in an estuary. They examine data for abiotic factors that affect life in estuaries—salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH. Students use archived data (trend analysis graphs) and real-time conditions at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) to predict whether a particular animal or plant species could survive in an estuary.
GOALS
Students will be able to:
- Describe three types of estuarine environments.
- Describe the particular environmental conditions necessary for organisms to survive in an estuary.
- List four principal abiotic factors that influence the survival of aquatic life in estuaries.
- Determine the range of pH, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen tolerated by some common estuarine species.
CONTEXT FOR USE
Teaching Time: 3 (55 minute) class sessions + homework
Organization of the Activity: This activity consists of 4 parts which help deepen understanding of estuarine systems:
- The Estuarine Environment
- Surviving Changes: Abiotic Factors that Affect Life
- Surviving in an Estuary: Extreme Conditions
- Optional: Investigating Other NERRS sites
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS
Teacher Guide—Life Science Module
Activity: Survival in an Estuary
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Yes, Delete This Resource
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