Objectives
In this lab, students will use instruments to evaluate the health of Lake Wells through its abiotic components. From this, students will gain an understanding of ecology, trophic structures, and water quality standards for aquatic environments.
Materials
· Lab manual
· Thermometer
· Dissolved oxygen meter
· pH meter
· Conductivity meter
· Nitrate test kit
· Phosphate test kit
Introduction
The introduction will consist of a summary of how abiotic factors affect the health, organisms, and ecology of an environment. Water quality, uses for water, and direct and indirect pollution will start the lecture off. Then trophic structure will be discussed, as well as biomass and nutrient imbalances in the water, which leads to cultural eutrophication. Then the lab procedure will be discussed, was well as an explanation of the instruments being dealt with.
Procedures
The lab will start of with a fifteen minute PowerPoint lecture over abiotic factors in aquatic ecology, then head into the lab procedures and equipment. From there, I will divide the class into groups and take them outside to Lake Wells to have them use their instruments to test the water. They will collect results for about thirty minutes, and then once all groups are finished we will head back inside for the rest of the class, where the students will finish up their workbook and I will walk around answering questions.
Review and Discussion
As students use the instruments and complete their workbooks, I will ask them questions pertaining to the subject to see if they are achieving a proper understanding of aquatic ecology. I will ask them how do they think these factors affect the water, where do they think the excess nutrients are coming from, and what could be done to increase the health of Lake Wells.
Assessment
Students will be evaluated based on correct workbook answers from pages 141 to 148 and their understanding as I ask them about what conclusions they have made at the end of lab. Questions could include an inquiry as to how and why they achieved a particular answer. I will remind them that if they need extra help on this subject for the quiz, they should do the review portion at the end of the lab in the workbook.
Resources
Tremblay, M. N. 2009. Environmental Biology Laboratory: Manual + Workbook. Caché House, Inc., Eden Prairie, MN.
