Aquatics Learning Objectives

AQUATICS ECOLOGY LEARNING OBJECTIVES

For successful completion of the water section, contestants should be able to:

• Define a watershed and give an example.

• Briefly explain nine important tests for measuring water quality and the implications to water quality for each test.

• Differentiate between non-point source and point source water pollution.

• Recognize types of water pollution such as organic, inorganic, thermal, toxic, etc.

• Discuss the accomplishments that are made when a river is monitored. Recognize behaviors of urban, rural, agricultural, and industrial people that affect a watershed.

• Suggest steps that urban, rural, agricultural, and industrial individuals may take to enhance a watershed.

• Using a key of pictures or descriptions, identify aquatic organisms found in rivers and their indication of river health.

• Differentiate between complete and incomplete metamorphosis and recognize as to which group an aquatic insect belongs.

• Describe how a wetland serves to improve water quality.

• Discuss factors that influence the ecology of a river such as landform, energy levels, vegetation, velocity, etc.

• List safety factors that must be taken for sampling and conducting water quality tests. Identify assisting agencies, programs, and laws that govern New York waters.

• Discuss land uses that both economically and environmentally benefit the soil and water ecological systems.

Aquatics Ecology Learning Objectives