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| | The complete Life Science Module includes the following activities:
- Activity 1: Survival in an Estuary
- Activity 2: Nutrients in an Estuary
- Activity 3: Biodiversity in an Estuary
Plus...
- Final Life Science Module Assessment
Activity 1: Survival in an Estuary
In this activity, 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 Elkhorn Slough to predict whether a particular animal or plant species could survive in an estuary.
This activity has 4 parts:
- The Estuarine Environment
- Surviving Changes: Abiotic Factors that Affect Life
- Surviving in an Estuary: Extreme Conditions
- Optional: Investigating Other NERRS Sites
Activity 2: Nutrients in an Estuary
In this activity, students model estuaries, artificially enriching both fresh and salt water samples with different amounts of nutrients and observing the growth of algae over a several weeks. They relate their results to the phenomenon of algae blooms in estuaries. They then analyze data for different sites in a NERRS Reserve in Florida to discover the relationships between nitrogen, chlorophyll, and dissolved oxygen. Finally, they study how nutrients cycle through an estuary and suggest recommendations for reducing nutrient inputs to estuary waters.
This activity has 3 parts:
- Nutrients in an Estuary
- Using Data to Study Eutrophication and Conditions in an Estuary
- Eutrophication and the Nitrogen Cycle
Activity 3: Biodiversity in an Estuary
In this activity, students investigate the incredible biodiversity that exists in estuarine environments. They begin by exploring the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve using Google Earth. Students then produce an estuary biodiversity concept map and individual organism profile that becomes part of an estuary wildlife exhibit.
This activity has 3 parts:
- Investigating Habitats in an Estuary
- Biodiversity in an Estuary
- Portrait of Life in an Estuary
Final Life Science Module Assessment
Supporting Materials
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