1. WATERSHEDS UNIT If you are absent, please look through this power point to find the notes you missed in class and highlight them the appropriate colors. THANK YOU!

2. Watershed Systems In 1623, an English poet by the name of John Donne wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” How true this statement is for all living organisms on our planet. Let’s investigate the natural processes and human interactions that affect Earth’s ecosystems and watersheds. An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with the non-living environment surrounding it. Our planet is filled with many different types of ecosystems. A number of factors determine the types of ecosystems, their plants and animals, and the amount of human interaction. These factors are called abiotic or nonliving. These abiotic factors include topography (the shape of the land), landforms (features like mountains and valleys), geology (what the Earth is made of), soils, sunlight, air quality, oxygen availability, and water supply. Due to the importance of water supply to all of Earth’s ecosystems, the health of an ecosystem is directly related to its water quality. Today, more than ever before in history, water quality often depends on us. We as human organisms are part of the ecosystems around us, and our daily actions affect the health of these ecosystems. Our activities often change the abiotic parts of ecosystems and either increase or decrease the natural processes. Using the natural process of flooding as an example, people can increase flooding by destroying wetlands, or decrease flooding by preserving or restoring wetland areas. Erosion is another example of a natural process that we affect. People can increase erosion in an area by cutting down trees or decrease erosion in an area by planting trees. Sediments from eroded land can impact the health of a waterway and the life within it.

3. In 1623, an English poet by the name of John Donne wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” How true this statement is for all living organisms on our planet. Let’s investigate the natural processes and human interactions that affect Earth’s ecosystems and watersheds.

4. An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with the non-living environment surrounding it.

5. Our planet is filled with many different types of ecosystems. A number of factors determine the types of ecosystems, their plants and animals, and the amount of human interaction.

6. These factors are called abiotic or nonliving. These abiotic factors include (1) topography (the shape of the land), (2) landforms (features like mountains and valleys), (3) geology (what the Earth is made of), (4) soils, (5) sunlight, (6) air quality, (7) oxygen availability, and (8) water supply.

8. Due to the importance of water supply to all of Earth’s ecosystems, the health of an ecosystem is directly related to its water quality. Today, more than ever before in history, water quality often depends on us.

9. We as human organisms are part of the ecosystems around us, and our daily actions affect the health of these ecosystems. Our activities often change the abiotic parts of ecosystems and either increase or decrease the natural processes.

10. Using the natural process of flooding as an example, people can increase flooding by destroying wetlands, or decrease flooding by preserving or restoring wetland areas.

11. Erosion is another example of a natural process that we affect. People can increase erosion in an area by cutting down trees or decrease erosion in an area by planting trees. Sediments from eroded land can impact the health of a waterway and the life within it.

13. Watershed Systems (continued) A watershed is an area of land that water flows across on its way to a stream, lake, wetland, or other body of water. The three major regional watershed systems in Virginia lead to the Chesapeake Bay, the North Carolina sounds, or the Gulf of Mexico. Watersheds are separated from each other by areas of higher elevations, such as ridgelines and divides. Water on one side of a divide flows in a different direction than water on the other side of the divide. Watersheds supply water to river systems. A river system is made up of streams and smaller rivers that join together as they move across a watershed. These smaller tributaries eventually flow into a main river. Wide flat areas, called flood plains, usually border streams and rivers in a river system. These flood plains hold waters that spill out at times of high flow or flooding. As rivers and streams move across the land, they carry and deposit sediment. The size of the sediment depends on the speed of the water flow. When water flow decreases, the size of the sediment it carries decreases also. Between the dry lands of a watershed and the bodies of water that flow through it are transition zones called wetlands. A wetland is an area of land that has saturated soil or is flooded by a shallow layer of water. Wetlands include such environments as swamps, marshes, and bogs. They can be tidal, influenced by the tides, or non-tidal and filled with fresh, brackish, or salt water. All wetlands perform important water quality functions. Some of these include maintaining water quality by filtering sediments, trapping nutrients, and breaking down pollutants; reducing erosion by slowing down runoff; regulating runoff by storing flood waters; and recharging or replenishing groundwater. Wetlands also provide food and shelter for all kinds of wildlife and fish. They also provide migratory birds with nesting and resting areas. © 2006

14. A watershed is an area of land that water flows across on its way to a stream, lake, wetland, or other body of water. The three major regional watershed systems in Virginia lead to the Chesapeake Bay, the North Carolina sounds, or the Gulf of Mexico. Watersheds are separated from each other by areas of higher elevations, such as ridgelines and divides. Water on one side of a divide flows in a different direction than water on the other side of the divide.

15. Watersheds supply water to river systems. A river system is made up of streams and smaller rivers that join together as they move across a watershed. These smaller tributaries eventually flow into a main river. Wide flat areas, called flood plains, usually border streams and rivers in a river system. These flood plains hold waters that spill out at times of high flow or flooding. As rivers and streams move across the land, they carry and deposit sediment. The size of the sediment depends on the speed of the water flow. When water flow decreases, the size of the sediment it carries decreases also.

16. Between the dry lands of a watershed and the bodies of water that flow through it are transition zones called wetlands. A wetland is an area of land that has saturated soil or is flooded by a shallow layer of water. Wetlands include such environments as swamps, marshes, and bogs. They can be tidal, influenced by the tides, or non-tidal and filled with fresh, brackish, or salt water.

17. All wetlands perform important water quality functions. Some of these include maintaining water quality by 1. filtering sediments, 2. trapping nutrients, and 3. breaking down pollutants; 4. reducing erosion by slowing down runoff; 5. regulating runoff by storing flood waters; and 6. recharging or replenishing groundwater. Wetlands also 7. provide food and shelter for all kinds of wildlife and fish. They also provide 8. migratory birds with nesting and resting areas.

18. WHAT IS A RIVER SYSTEM? Every river is part of a larger system-a watershed, which is the land drained by a river and its tributaries. Rivers are large natural streams of water flowing in channels and emptying into larger bodies of water. This diagram shows some common characteristics of a river system. Every river is different, however, so not all rivers may look exactly like this illustration. The river source, also called the headwaters, is the beginning of a river. Often located in mountains, the source may be fed by an under- ground spring, or by runoff from rain, snowmelt, or glacial melt. The river mouth is the place where a river flows into a larger body of water, such as another river, a lake, or an ocean. Upstream is in the direction of or nearer to the source of a river. Downstream is in the direction of or nearer to the mouth of a river. Wetlands are low-lying areas saturated with water for long enough periods to support vegetation adapted to wet conditions. Wetlands help maintain river quality by filtering out pollutants and sediments, and regulating nutrient flow. A fully-developed floodplain is relatively flat land stretching from either side of a river, which may flood during heavy rain or snowmelt. Built of materials deposited by a river, floodplain soil is often rich in nutrients and ideal for growing food. A tributary is a smaller stream or river that joins a larger stream or main river. A watershed boundary, also called a drainage divide, marks the outer- most limit of a watershed. A watershed is a tract of land drained by a river and its tributaries. Anything that affects a watershed may eventually impact its tributaries and river as well as the water body at the mouth of the river. People's actions within a watershed can affect the overall quality of its rivers. The main river is the primary channel and course of a river. A meander is a loop in a river channel. A meandering river winds back and forth, rather than following a straight course.

19. Every river is part of a larger system-a watershed, which is the land drained by a river and its tributaries. Rivers are large natural streams of water flowing in channels and emptying into larger bodies of water. This diagram shows some common characteristics of a river system. Every river is different, however, so not all rivers may look exactly like this illustration.

20. The river source, also called the headwaters, is the beginning of a river. Often located in mountains, the source may be fed by an under- ground spring, or by runoff from rain, snowmelt, or glacial melt.

21. The river mouth is the place where a river flows into a larger body of water, such as another river, a lake, or an ocean.

22. Upstream is in the direction of or nearer to the source of a river.

23. Downstream is in the direction of or nearer to the mouth of a river.

24. Wetlands are low-lying areas saturated with water for long enough periods to support vegetation adapted to wet conditions. Wetlands help maintain river quality by filtering out pollutants and sediments, and regulating nutrient flow.

25. A fully-developed floodplain is relatively flat land stretching from either side of a river, which may flood during heavy rain or snowmelt. Built of materials deposited by a river, floodplain soil is often rich in nutrients and ideal for growing food.

26. A tributary is a smaller stream or river that joins a larger stream or main river.

27. A watershed boundary, also called a drainage divide, marks the outer- most limit of a watershed. A watershed is a tract of land drained by a river and its tributaries. Anything that affects a watershed may eventually impact its tributaries and river as well as the water body at the mouth of the river. People's actions within a watershed can affect the overall quality of its rivers.

28. The main river is the primary channel and course of a river.

29. A meander is a loop in a river channel. A meandering river winds back and forth, rather than following a straight course.

36. SOL 6.7 / Living Systems Page 3 Watershed Systems (continued) At the edge of a watershed, where fresh river water empties into the salty waters of an ocean, we can find a slightly enclosed body of water called an estuary. Estuaries are very important because they provide habitat for many organisms and serve as nurseries for their young. Many fish and shellfish begin their lives in the brackish waters of estuaries along the east coast of the United States. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest and one of the most productive estuaries in the contiguous United States. It is the source of $850 million worth of fish and shellfish each year. In the Chesapeake Bay, fresh water from many of Virginia’s rivers and salt water from the Atlantic Ocean are mixed by the tides to create an area of great beauty and abundant plant and animal life. In addition to serving as an important water habitat, estuaries are also important to people. Estuaries play an important role in the United States’ economy. They attract tourists, serve the shipping and commercial fishing industries, and are enjoyable recreation areas for many different water sports. In addition, estuaries also help control pollution by filtering pollutants out of the water and prevent coastal flooding and erosion by absorbing storm waters before they can reach inland areas. Our nation's waters are continuously monitored by state, federal, and local agencies. Water quality monitoring involves the collection of water samples to analyze chemical and biological parameters. Some of these parameters include pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and the presence of macroinvertebrates. Let’s find out how scientists use these parameters to determine a water habitat's health.

37. At the edge of a watershed, where fresh river water empties into the salty waters of an ocean, we can find a slightly enclosed body of water called an estuary. Estuaries are very important because they (1) provide habitat for many organisms and serve as (2) nurseries for their young. Many fish and shellfish begin their lives in the brackish waters of estuaries along the east coast of the United States.

38. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest and one of the most productive estuaries in the contiguous United States. It is the source of $850 million worth of fish and shellfish each year. In the Chesapeake Bay, fresh water from many of Virginia’s rivers and salt water from the Atlantic Ocean are mixed by the tides to create an area of great beauty and abundant plant and animal life.

39. In addition to serving as an important water habitat, estuaries are also important to people. Estuaries play an important role in the United States’ economy. They (3) attract tourists, (4)serve the shipping and (5) commercial fishing industries, and are (6) enjoyable recreation areas for many different water sports.

40. In addition, estuaries also help control pollution by (7) filtering pollutants out of the water and (8) prevent coastal flooding and (9) erosion by absorbing storm waters before they can reach inland areas.

41. Our nation's waters are continuously monitored by state, federal, and local agencies. Water quality monitoring involves the collection of water samples to analyze chemical and biological parameters. Some of these parameters include pH, temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and the presence of macroinvertebrates. Let’s find out how scientists use these parameters to determine a water habitat's health.

44. Watershed Systems (continued) PH is the measure of how acidic or basic a water source is. A pH range of 6.0 to 9.0 has been found to support and protect freshwater aquatic life. High pH levels can damage the tissues of aquatic animals and cause death. Temperature can also affect the health of a water habitat. Changes outside of the normal seasonal changes can be detrimental. When human activities change water temperatures in rivers and streams, the death of aquatic life can result. Salinity is the measure of dissolved salts in a water system. High levels of salt can damage floodplains and wetlands. Salinity levels also determine what plant and animal species can live in a water habitat. Dissolved oxygen levels in a water system affect the growth and reproduction of aquatic animals. Low levels can kill vulnerable animals such as oysters, clams, and fish. Turbidity has to do with the amount of suspended solids in a water system. The clearer the water is, the lower the turbidity. Increased turbidity can be caused by silt and clay from shoreline erosion as well as an increase in the numbers of microscopic plants called phytoplankton. High levels of turbidity can block sunlight, clog the gills of fish and smother aquatic nurseries. The presence of certain macroinvertebrates in a water system can indicate the health of the aquatic habitat. By looking at the types of organisms that are living in a water habitat, scientists can tell how healthy the water is. The water quality of a habitat is good when it is rich in oxygen and supports a variety of organisms. Water quality is fair when it has less oxygen and low levels of pollutants, and poor when it has high levels of pollutants. Some organisms can survive only in water of good quality, while others can live in any quality of water. For example, if scientists find mayfly larvae, that indicates good water quality. This is because mayfly larvae are very sensitive to pollutants and changes in the other parameters. The presence of leeches, however, may indicate a problem. This is because leeches can live in any type of water. This monitoring also helps determine whether pollution control programs are working and helps direct pollution control efforts to areas where they are most needed. © 2006

47. NPS POLLUTION AND YOU Virginia is a water rich state. But plenty of water doesn't necessarily mean having abundant usable water. As with all natural resources, we must use water wisely. We need clean water for drinking, food production, jobs, transportation, recreation, beauty and habitat for some of the most unique natural environs in the world. One of those is among the world's most productive estuaries, the Chesapeake Bay.

48. (A.) Preventing water pollution is difficult, however, because water is dynamic -- it flows freely from property to property, from locality to locality, even from the surface to underground. How water is used upstream can and does affect its quality downstream.

49. Nonpoint Source Pollution There's a type of pollution that degrades some of our state's waterways. Its called B nonpoint source (NPS) pollution because it doesn't come from a single source, or point, such as a sewage treatment plant or an industrial discharge pipe. Point source pollution C

50. NPS pollution occurs mainly through (D) stormwater runoff. When it rains, runoff from farmland, city streets, construction sites, and suburban lawns, roofs and driveways enters our waterways. This runoff often contains harmful substances such as toxics, excess nutrients and sediments. NPS pollutions effects seldom show up overnight -- they often go unnoticed for years. This characteristic makes it all the more difficult to control.

51. There are four major forms of NPS pollution: sediments, nutrients, toxic substances and pathogens.

52. 1. Sediments are soil particles carried by rainwater into streams, lakes, rivers and bays. By volume, sediment is the greatest pollutant of all. Its caused mainly by erosion resulting from bare land, poor farming practices, and construction and development.

53. 2. Nutrients are substances which help plants and animals live and grow. NPS officials are most concerned about excessive amounts of two nutrients; nitrogen and phosphorus. Fertilizer and animal waste are the main sources of these substances.

54. 3. Toxic substances are chemicals which cause human and wildlife health problems. They include organic and inorganic chemicals and metals, pesticides, formaldehyde, household chemicals, gasoline, motor oil, battery acid, roadway salt and so on.

55. 4. Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms present in human and animal waste. Most pathogens are bacteria.

57. Sediments: Poorly protected construction sites can erode at a rate 500 times the natural rate of erosion, and Virginia’s farmland loses several tons of soil per acre, per year due to erosion. You’ve seen a muddy river after a rainstorm? That's a product of sediment runoff. Sediments are soil particles carried by stormwater runoff into streams, lakes, rivers and bays. It’s caused mainly by erosion resulting from bare land, poor farming practices on cropland and pastureland, and construction and development of the land. By volume, sediment is the greatest pollutant of all. Sedimentation is a harmful form of NPS pollution because it cuts down on the light needed by underwater grasses. Sedimentation also clogs waterways, drainage systems, buries aquatic habitat, and smothers fish and shellfish spawning grounds. Compounding the problem, sedimentation from eroded farmland can contain pesticides and fertilizers. If you read about nutrients, you will learn about decreased light and oxygen from nutrients, resulting in fish and grasses dying off; sedimentation has the same effect.nutrients Nutrients: Experts estimate that 50 percent of the nitrogen and 29 percent of the phosphorus entering our state’s waterways come from farmland. Nitrogen and phosphorus are nutrients that help plants and animals live and grow. But in excess, these nutrients cause pollution, creating one of the greatest threats to the health of our waterways. These two nutrients are of particular concern in Virginia because they are used on agricultural lands. When these nutrients accumulate from excessive animal waste and use of fertilizers, they become major culprits of nonpoint source pollution, as they are carried in stormwater runoff. Urban and suburban areas also are culprits when nutrients from poorly maintained home septic systems enter the groundwater supplies, and when animal feces, pesticides and fertilizers dump into our waterways during rainstorms. Nutrients over-enrich waterways during these rainstorms, causing algal blooms that deplete oxygen in the water, and destroy aquatic habitat by clouding the water and coating underwater grasses. When there is no oxygen or light in the water, grasses begin to die, as do finfish and shellfish. The result can lead to an unhealthy waterway, not suitable for swimming or fishing. Toxic Substances: Believe it or not, just one quart of poorly disposed, used motor oil can contaminate two million gallons of drinking water F. EFFECT- Fish and animals die from being poisoned. Toxic substances are chemicals that cause human and wildlife health problems. They include organic and inorganic chemicals and metals, pesticides, formaldehydes, household chemicals, gasoline, motor oil, battery acid, and roadway salt. City streets and other impervious surfaces accumulate NPS pollutants such as motor oil, gasoline and antifreeze. Because these surfaces do not absorb rainwater, runoff from urban areas is nine times greater than that from forestland. Pathogens: Each time it rains, pet waste gets washed off your lawn directly into nearby streams and rivers. Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms present in human and animal waste. This type of nonpoint source pollution can be especially dangerous. Pathogens can be bacteria, protozoa or viruses. We frequently hear of coliforms or fecal coliform that is a bacterial pathogen most commonly a result of animal waste from cattle, hogs and poultry operations, if not properly managed. However, what many people do not realize is that another major source of fecal coliform is waste from our pets. (cause) Pathogens from pet waste can then build-up, entering our waterways in high concentrations and can lead to lesions in fish and other aquatic life, even illness in humans.

60. Estuaries and salt marshes are homes for many plants, mammals, reptiles, and birds. Estuaries are also important homes for fishes, snails, crabs, clams, and baby animals called larvae. We call these habitats “wetlands,” because the soil of the marsh and the bordering edges of the estuary are frequently influenced by tides from the ocean and water flowing from the land. Sometimes there is a lot of water and the estuary rises; marshes become flooded with water. There are times when there is less water and the estuary level drops; the marsh is drier. Rises in water levels make the land “wet.” But, as levels change, constantly rising and falling, the amount of wetness changes. Why is an estuary like a… 1. Sponge? An estuary soaks up water. As excess rains flood rivers and streams, wetlands form to absorb water that may otherwise flood dry living areas needed by both animals and people. 2. Hotel? As birds migrate hundreds and thousands of miles across North America, they stop in marshes and estuaries to eat and rest before continuing on their journey. 3. Egg beater? A coastal wetland is a place for nutrient-rich freshwater from a river or stream to mix with saltwater from the bays. As plants photosynthesize, oxygen is added to the mix. Fishes and shellfish take advantage of this life-giving soup. 4. Cradle? An estuary provides a protective haven for young animals: plenty of food and places to hide from predators. Seagrasses and other vegetation give cover. 5. Strainer? The grasses of an estuary act like a sieve. Soil, branches, leaves, and even trash that has washed into the estuary are strained. This allows cleaner water to pass on downstream and into the Gulf of Mexico. 6. Cereal? Plants absorb nutrients and help cycle them through the food web. As the grasses of the estuaries decay, or rot, a nutritious food for animals and fertilizer for other plant life are supplied. 7. Soap? Estuaries trap, neutralize, and decompose sewage and other wastes. Excess nutrients and chemical toxins are absorbed as well. Through chemical reactions and processing by plants, water is cleaned before it passes downstream. E__________________________________________________________ S__________________________________________________________ T__________________________________________________________ U__________________________________________________________ A__________________________________________________________ R__________________________________________________________ Y__________________________________________________________

61. Estuaries and salt marshes are homes for many plants, mammals, reptiles, and birds. Estuaries are also important homes for fishes, snails, crabs, clams, and baby animals called larvae. We call these habitats “wetlands,” because the soil of the marsh and the bordering edges of the estuary are frequently influenced by tides from the ocean and water flowing from the land. Sometimes there is a lot of water and the estuary rises; marshes become flooded with water. There are times when there is less water and the estuary level drops; the marsh is drier. Rises in water levels make the land “wet.” But, as levels change, constantly rising and falling, the amount of wetness changes.

62. Why is an estuary like a…

63. 1. Sponge? An estuary soaks up water. As excess rains flood rivers and streams, wetlands form to absorb water that may otherwise flood dry living areas needed by both animals and people.

64. Why is an estuary like a… 2. Hotel? As birds migrate hundreds and thousands of miles across North America, they stop in marshes and estuaries to eat and rest before continuing on their journey.

65. Why is an estuary like a… 3. Egg beater? A coastal wetland is a place for nutrient-rich freshwater from a river or stream to mix with saltwater from the bays. As plants photosynthesize, oxygen is added to the mix. Fishes and shellfish take advantage of this life-giving soup.

66. Why is an estuary like a… 4. Cradle? An estuary provides a protective haven for young animals: plenty of food and places to hide from predators. Seagrasses and other vegetation give cover.

67. Why is an estuary like a… 5. Strainer? The grasses of an estuary act like a sieve. Soil, branches, leaves, and even trash that has washed into the estuary are strained. This allows cleaner water to pass on downstream and into the Gulf of Mexico.

68. Why is an estuary like a… 6. Cereal? Plants absorb nutrients and help cycle them through the food web. As the grasses of the estuaries decay, or rot, a nutritious food for animals and fertilizer for other plant life are supplied.

69. 7. Soap? Estuaries trap, neutralize, and decompose sewage and other wastes. Excess nutrients and chemical toxins are absorbed as well. Through chemical reactions and processing by plants, water is cleaned before it passes downstream.

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