The Stations
Macroinvertebrates
Macroinvertebrates are animals that lack a backbone (“invertebrate”) and can be seen with the unaided eye (“macro”). They include insects such as immature and/or adult mayflies, stonefiles, caddisflies, true flies (e.g. mosquitoes), dragonflies and beetles, as well as other invertebrates such as snails, leeches, worms and mussels. Aquatic macroinvertebrates spend the majortlands, lakes and other aquatic environments. They depend on healthy aquatic and upland ecosystems to survive.
Riparian Ecology
Plants along the streambed influence the entire stream ecosystem. This green zone is called a riparian area and has several unique properties. A riparian area is linear, has a water transport channel and floodplain, and is interrelated with upstream and downstream ecosystems. Riparian habitat is a combination of three areas: Aquatic, Riparian and Area of Influence. Each is distinctive and contributes to the entire ecosystem.
Water Quality
Students will understand the importance and techniques of water quality sampling by: performing stream water quality tests measuring pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature; practicing detailed data recording methods; and analyzing and making judgments on the quality of water based on collected data.
Salmon Biology
This section will provide information on the biology and life history of northwest salmon, starting with the natural life cycle of salmon and continuing with more specific information about species you may encounter on a Salmon Watch field trip.