Orientation
Full image (34K)
Kitt Farrell Poe
Full image (42K)
Elaine Hassinger
Full image (42K)
Dan Neary
Full image (49K)
Deb Young
Full image (62K)
Malchus Baker
Full image (51K)
Russ Radden
Full image (44K)
Riparian biodiversity
Full image (43K)
Photos by Jeff Schalau
|
The University of Arizona College of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension and the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain
Research Station held an educational field day for students. Thirty-nine
students from Heritage Middle School (Prescott), nine students from
Chino High School, six school staff members, a volunteer from the
Verde Watershed Association, and and six instructors attended. The
Beaver Creek Watershed Field Day is a student-centered, hands on,
real-life opportunity to develop an awareness of water resources
and the importance of Arizona watersheds. This field experience
occurred on September 30th, at the Beaver Creek picnic area, Coconino
National Forest, from 9 am to 2 pm. Sessions focused on the dynamics
of watersheds, water resources and riparian ecosystems. Lunch was
provided to participants. Transportation to and from the Beaver
Creek activity site was arranged by the participating school(s).
Sessions included:
1) Water Resources - Kitt Farrell Poe,
Extension Water Quality Specialist, Yuma Ag Center and Elaine Hassinger,
Assistant in Extension, Maricopa Ag Center
Students learned how to monitor stream
water quality by measuring chemical and physical parameters (biological
parameters were monitored at a different session). The students
were divided into two groups and each group performed either the
chemical or the physical tests. The chemical analyses included pH,
nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, and phosphorus. This group also performed
the turbidity analysis. The physical analyses included stream width,
depth, and flow rate, and water and air temperatures. The group
conducting the physical analyses also collected data on the stream
condition: date; time of day; location; group names; water appearance
and odor; streambed coating; percent of bank covered by plants,
rocks, and logs; land use in the watershed at site; and estimated
percent and type of litter in and around the stream.
2) Groundwater Station - Jeff Schalau, Yavapai County Cooperative
Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources and Dan Neary,
Watershed Scientist, Rocky Mountain Research Station, USFS
After participating in a physical activity
that demonstrated soil permeability, students were given an orientation
about the landforms found in the Beaver Creek Watershed. The activity
and orientation taught students about infiltration, percolation,
surface runoff, and subsurface flows as they relate to soils, alluvial
deposits, and geologic formations. Ground water movement was demonstrated
using the Ground Water Flow Model. In the model, students observed
the water table, confined and unconfined aquifers, and an artesian
well. Water was pumped from a shallow well to demonstrate how pumpage
can lower the depth of the water table. Food coloring was injected
into the model and students observed as the dye moved within the
aquifer and was pumped up through the shallow well. During group
discussions, students were asked questions and given more information
about issues of concern related to ground water quality and quantity.
3) Watershed vegetation - Deborah Young,
Associate Director, Arizona Cooperative Extension
Measuring vegetation is one way to predict
and evaluate the impacts of upland activities on watersheds. Visual
observations were made of the vegetation above Beaver Creek, with
discussions about the differences between upland and riparian vegetation.
The session stressed the use of the scientific method to measure
these differences. Students were taught the concept of cover, frequency
and composition of the vegetation, using 40 cm X 40 cm frames to
measure these components. Native plant species were identified;
students used contact paper and index cards to preserve plant specimens.
4) Watersheds, slopes, and soils - Malchus
Baker, Watershed Scientist, Rocky Mountain Research Station, USFS
The instructor answered the question:
what is a watershed? He explained the purpose of the Beaver Creek
Experimental Watershed: to determine the potential for increasing
water yield by manipulating ponderosa pine and pinyon-juniper vegetation
types and to determine effects of treatments on the other watershed
resources. They discussed and demonstrated why watershed condition
is important. Healthy watersheds have the capacity to absorb storm
energies, provide regulation of storm flows through the soil mantle,
and bring stability to the entire basin. In contrast, a watershed
that has been abused often develops a more extensive channel system
throughout its basin, including an ephemeral gully network. Riparian
areas, found in the transition between water and land, are important
wildlife habitats because they provide the three things every organism
needs -- food, shelter, and water.
5) Riparian wildlife & stream invertebrates
- Russ Radden, Program Coordinator, Yavapai County Cooperative Extension
"Why are riparian ecosystems ideal
environments for studying enhance biodiversity?", was the major
focus question of this session. Students were invited and encouraged
to recognize, identify and inventory different animal life forms
associated with Beaver Creek. The instructor served as a facilitator
of student-centered activities. Animal presence was determined by
direct observation, behavioral signs, tracks and scat. Random search-inventories
were conducted by students in habitat/niche areas adjacent to and
in Beaver Creek. Temporary collections of aquatic specimens facilitated
student examination, use of worksheets and interactive discussions.
The significance of each organism was associated with their role
in food chains/webs. Information from concurrent sessions was integrated
into the overview of stream dynamics and how natural succession,
flooding, grazing and human activities may alter the physical characteristics
of a stream, specific habitats and the distribution of animal populations
in riparian areas. Profiling aquatic populations in the stream enhanced
student understanding of the significance of dissolved oxygen, pH,
chemical properties and other abiotic qualities in determining what
life can be expected and supported. Students were able to recognize
the importance of riparian areas, the biodiversity present and the
difficulty in preserving, protecting and managing these unique ecological
units.
|
