Habitat Sense

Habitat Sense is the analysis of a stream reach's physical qualities. Students survey a pool, riffle, or glide, and look at dimensions, substrate, woody material, fish cover, and other factors that determine how the site might be used by aquatic life.

NGSS: HS-LS2-6, HS-LS2-7, HS-LS4-6, HS-LS4-5, HS-ESS2-5, HS-ESS3-1 WA SCIENCE Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs): 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2

Objectives

Students will be able to:

List steps of stream habitat survey methods
Discuss the features a healthy stream must haveto support aquatic life
Sketch a reach of stream in all its complexities

Concepts

Use of survey instruments to measure habitat
Habitat components: pools, riffles, and glides
Stream complexity as a sign of suitable habitat

Teachers

Classroom Materials

Classroom Pre-work Activities:

Habitat Sense Vocab - (MOST RECOMMENDED)
Dynamic Water (PDF)- Students learn the habitat components of pools, riffles, and glides, and how fish use these habitats.
Ring Around the Rock (PDF)- Students understand the concept of embeddedness and how it can affect aquatic life.
Stream Mapping (PDF)- Students discuss the components of a stream reach and illustrate and map an imaginary reach or the school grounds.
Be a Biologist...Back in the Office (PDF)- Students analyze a completed stream survey, interpret results, draw conclusions about the health of a surveyed stream, and/or write an authentic stream survey report.

Field Day Materials

Habitat Sense Student Worksheet (PDF)

Activity Leaders

Training Video above - A video guide on how to successfully facilitate this station.
Habitat Sense Equipment and Procedure Guide (PDF)- An equipment checklist and procedure guidelines for this station.
Habitat Sense Station Script (PDF) - A suggested script for guiding students through this station in the field.

"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life."- Rachel Carson