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Teacher Resources |
Learning Objectives Envirothon study encompasses a variety of topics. The major topics in the Envirothon competition include: 3) Forestry 4) Wildlife 6) Recreational Impacts on Natural Resources The following are general frameworks to give you an
idea of what types of things are expected of students at the Envirothon
competition. There are no “right” or “wrong” ways to study. Each team
will find their own - Recognize soil as a important and dynamic resource. - Recognize and identify the features of a soil profile, including constituents: clay, organic matter, sand, silt. - Describe basic soil properties and soil formation factors. - Identify soil horizons in the field. - Determine basic soil properties and limitations (e.g., mottling and permeability) by analyzing soil samples. - Assess soil water and nutrients, their movement, storage, and uptake by plants. - In land use planning discussions, discuss how soil is a factor in or is impacted by non-point source pollution. - Define and summarize the role of carbon sequestration. - Use a USGS topographic map. - Extract information about soils from USDA sources. - Utilize soil information as a basis for land use decisions. Suggested resources: Soil texturing kits available for loan from Arizona Envirothon (602.771.8521) or from your local Natural Resource Conservation District office. (Contact AZ Envirothon for more information.) - Identify the processes and phases for each part of the water cycle. - Describe the chemical and physical properties of water and explain their implications for freshwater ecosystems. - Analyze the interaction of competing uses of water for water supply, hydropower, navigation, wildlife, recreation, waste assimilation, irrigation, industry, and others. - Discuss methods of conserving water and reducing point and non-point source pollution. - Identify common aquatic organisms through the use of a key. - Delineate the watershed boundary for a small body of water. - Briefly describe the benefits of wetlands, including both function and value. - Describe the benefits of riparian areas, including both functions and value. - Describe the changes to the aquatic ecosystem, based on alteration to the aquatic habitat. - Know methods used to assess and manage aquatic environments (sampling, technique, water quality parameters used to monitor point and non-point source pollution) and be able to utilize that water quality information to assess the general water quality of a specific body of water. - Be familiar with major methods and laws used to protect water quality (i.e., both surface and ground water) and utilize this information to make management decisions to improve the quality of water in a given situation. Recognize the role of aquifers in this process. Suggested web resources:
Other resources: - Identify native Arizona trees through the use of a key. - Describe the ecological role of desert tree species (e.g., nitrogen fixation).
- Cite
factors affecting forest ecology: relationship betweens oil and forest
types, tree communities, - Explain the cause and effect relationship of factors affecting tree growth and forest development: climate, insects, microorganisms, wildlife, etc. - Note interrelationships between wildlife habitat and forest communities, forest species, forest age and structure, snags and den trees, availability of food, riparian zones. - Analyze how the following issues are affected by forest health and management: biological diversity, forest fragmentation, air quality, aesthetics, fire, and recreation. - Utilize basic forest management concepts and tools: the use of tree measuring devices and the best use of management practices. - Identify the complex factors that influence forest management decisions (e.g., economic, social, ecological). - Analyze the value of trees in urban/suburban settings and the factors affecting their health and survival. Suggested web resources:
Other resources: - Identify Arizona wildlife species and wildlife sign through the use of a field guide. - Identify basic wildlife survival needs. - Describe specific adaptations of wildlife to their environment and their role within the ecosystem. - Describe predator/prey relationships and cite examples using native Arizona species. - Describe food chains and food webs and cite examples using species found within Arizona. (Non-native, introduced species may be used.) - Describe factors that determine a population’s carrying capacity, including those that may limit or enhance population growth. - Recommend various ways the public and wildlife managers can help in the protection, conservation, management, and enhancement of wildlife populations. - Describe the potential impact of the introduction of non-native species into an ecosystem. Define these terms: "biodegradable" and "non-biodegradable." Describe each of these biodegradation processes, including their ecological roles: composting, use of biomass, mulching. Explore beneficial uses for non-biodegradable products: metal by-products, vehicle tires, methane. Analyze the life cycle of a CD or DVD from materials acquisition through disposal. Analyze the life cycle of a cell phone from materials extraction through disposal. Suggested
web resources: 6) Recreational Impacts on Natural Resources
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