Aquatic Field Investigation

Wetland and shallow marine habitats all over the world share some common characteristics. In this investigation, you will have an opportunity to study some of these characteristics at a local aquatic site and to create a baseline study to scientifically describe the site. You will use several types of tools and sampling techniques to measure biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) characteristics. These measurements will help you determine the ability of the water at your local aquatic site to support life, and will help you evaluate how humans have affected the site's natural cycles and phenomena.

Overview for Teachers

Materials for Students

• Background Information and Research Article
• Vocabulary Used in this Investigation
• Field Work Materials and Methods

Online Tools

• Putting Yourself on the Map: Introducing Yourself and Choosing Collaborators
• See All Aquatic Field Investigation Reports Received
• Reporting Data: Sharing the Measurements from Your Field Work

Additional Information and Resources:

• GLOBE Educational Materials
• National Water Conditions
• National Water-Quality Assessment Program
• Interactive Marine Observations: Florida
• The Hydrology Web
• Chesapeake Bay Program - Water Quality Monitoring & Trends
• The Coastal Ecosystems Program
• Resources in Aquatic Ecology
• Sidwell Friends Environmental Science Homepage - Stream monitoring and a good background description on water quality monitoring procedures
• The Gulf of Maine Aquarium has a great resource on water body types and streams
• Field Guide to the Mudflats of the Southern San Francisco Bay from The Nueva School, Hillsborough, California

JASON VII Home Page

JASON Project Homepage || Teachers' Guide || Students' Corner || Search

Gene Carl Feldman (gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov) (301) 286-9428
Todd Carlo Viola, JASON Foundation for Education (todd@jason.org)
Revised: 2 January 1996