Stream Ecology Intro
9.24.2012 | Stream Health | Prickett’s Creek, West Virginia | | Joshua Bombard, Devony Jones, Devin Pryor, Lindsey Pryor | 9/24/2012 |
In this lab we measured and examined several different factors from Prickett’s Creek. In the following introduction I will explain what stream ecology is and how are experiments will justify or appeal my hypothesis. |
Stream ecology is the overall health of the water and the surrounding ecosystem. There are many different components that make up a stream’s health. The main factors that affect stream ecology are: geology, climate, vegetation, nutrients, bacteria, temperature, DO (Dissolved oxygen), and toxic chemicals. The shape of the land and the soil is also a big part and can be changed with human activity. The pace of the stream can also change the type of ecosystem that the stream is. Climate plays a major part in stream health. The sun, temperature, and season are all relative when discussing the health of a stream. As I wrote my hypothesis I tried to recall the weather and sun exposure over this past year. When the sun is out plants carry out a phase called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is when the plants convert CO2 (carbon dioxide) into O2 (oxygen) for food. The O2 then is released into the water which is great because dissolved oxygen is needed for a healthy stream. Vegetation is important in stream health because they carry out photosynthesis. They also provide shelter and good for organisms. They also provide stability and support for the soil and sediments of the stream. No habitat would be able to develop for animals and organisms if everything in the stream would keep being washed away. Bacteria and toxic chemicals are a major factor, but they are not a helpful factor. Toxic chemicals in the stream are mainly caused by human activity. When toxic chemicals are present in the stream this could cause many problems and result in an unhealthy stream. Toxic chemicals such as the cancer-causing
In this lab we measured and examined several different factors from Prickett’s Creek. In the following introduction I will explain what stream ecology is and how are experiments will justify or appeal my hypothesis. |
Stream ecology is the overall health of the water and the surrounding ecosystem. There are many different components that make up a stream’s health. The main factors that affect stream ecology are: geology, climate, vegetation, nutrients, bacteria, temperature, DO (Dissolved oxygen), and toxic chemicals. The shape of the land and the soil is also a big part and can be changed with human activity. The pace of the stream can also change the type of ecosystem that the stream is. Climate plays a major part in stream health. The sun, temperature, and season are all relative when discussing the health of a stream. As I wrote my hypothesis I tried to recall the weather and sun exposure over this past year. When the sun is out plants carry out a phase called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is when the plants convert CO2 (carbon dioxide) into O2 (oxygen) for food. The O2 then is released into the water which is great because dissolved oxygen is needed for a healthy stream. Vegetation is important in stream health because they carry out photosynthesis. They also provide shelter and good for organisms. They also provide stability and support for the soil and sediments of the stream. No habitat would be able to develop for animals and organisms if everything in the stream would keep being washed away. Bacteria and toxic chemicals are a major factor, but they are not a helpful factor. Toxic chemicals in the stream are mainly caused by human activity. When toxic chemicals are present in the stream this could cause many problems and result in an unhealthy stream. Toxic chemicals such as the cancer-causing