Small Watershed Ecology Assessment Project

Students learn that there may be a range of land use activities in any given watershed and we can use aerial photographs to determine the relative proportion of different land use practices in a large area.

Students learn that soil is a complex mixture of rock, organic material, and water, along with air spaces. Through soil testing and map reading, they learn that soil composition varies from site to site depending on the underlying rock type, overlying vegetation, time, topography, climate, and chemicals carried by water percolating through the soil. Lastly, students understand that soils in a watershed affect the chemistry and quantity of water as it percolates through them.

Students use topographic maps to determine watershed boundaries and better understand how watersheds are delineated.

Students generate a list of local land use activities and consider how these activities may affect local water quality and quantity.