1. What makes an Aquatic Habitat suitable for life? By: Barbara Laurenson

2. { First you have to go to an aquatic habitat to make observations, see what lives in, on, and around the water. Go on a Field Trip

3. You may find butterflies and other insects  You may find butterflies

4. You may find phytoplankton and algae (zooplankton too!)

5. Aquatic birds can be found as well These are Mallard Ducks and Canada Geese

6. There are fungi (mushrooms) and cattails that are around the lake

7. Dragon flies and Water Striders can be found on and around

8. In the lake there are many types of fish : a baby Wide mouth Bass and Bluegill are two

9. {{ Now that you’ve identified the various aquatic species that live in our lake, we need to assess the relative environmental quality by using indicators of water and air temperature. We also need to do a water pH test and a test to see what the dissolved oxygen levels are in our water habitat. Testing the water for pH and DO, you also need to know the water and air temperature too!

10. After you read the directions carefully, you do the tests and find out if the lake water is at it’s best!

11. { You conduct hands-on experiments and use your powers of observation to see what’s all around you and make a determination by interpreting the facts! So how do you know what makes an aquatic habitat suitable for life?