Activity 2.1 Mapping Ecosystems and Organisms JASON Expedition: Disappearing Wetlands

Components Activity 2.1 Introductory Video: Segment 3 Chat sessions Digital Lab: Secret Life of the Bayou LIVE Broadcast

Objectives Students will familiarize themselves with Mark Schexnayder’s research. Students will use data from the field to increase their understanding of Louisiana’s wetlands.

Research Questions What kinds of wetland ecosystems can be found in Louisiana? What kinds of plants and animals do Louisiana’s wetlands support? How do plants and animals depend on one another and their environment for survival? How are changes to Louisiana’s wetlands impacting the plant and animal communities that live there?

Vocabulary Estuary, ecosystem, freshwater, brackish, abiotic, biotic, salinity, organism, hydric, swamps, marshes, deciduous, producers, consumers, decomposers, detrital cycle, detritus, saltwater intrusion, channels, alien species, eat out, sampling

Gathering Information JASON Journal: Create a T-chart or table on Louisiana’s ecosystems Types of ecosystems Flora and fauna for each ecosystem Information Sources Research Article: The Life of a Marsh, p Introductory Video: Segments 1 and 3 Digital Lab: Secrets of the Bayou

Activity - 2.1, p. 60 Label each site’s ecosystem: Forested wetland Freshwater marsh Intermediate marsh Brackish marsh Saltwater marsh Open sea

Activity - 2.1, p. 61 JASON Journal: Create a chart Column 1 - List the fish and shellfish Column 2 - Note their preferred habitat Column 3 - Predict sites where each species may found Compare your predictions with Mark Schexnayder’s data, p. 62

Activity - 2.1, p. 60 Create a map color key for each species. Using your map key, indicate where each species is found on the map. Note: Include all sites where each species is found. JASON Journal: Write a report for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regarding fish catch areas for Gulf menhaden, spot, and red drum.

Assessment Observations, p. 59 Conclusion Questions, p. 59 Show What You Know, p. 71 Create an Assessment: TJO

Novel Swamp by Kathleen Duey and Karen A. Bale TJO Chat: Mark Schexnayder Digital Lab: Secret Life of the Bayou

Introduction

Choose an Organism

Where Will it Thrive?

You Survived!

Standards What standards could you address with this activity? Information sources: Alignments, p. T8-T11, T46a TJO: State standards alignment tool

JASON Expedition: Disappearing Wetlands