Gathering information

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Plant needs investigation

Soil investigation

Journal Writing Activities

Have the students maintain journals for the investigations. Students should document changes observed. They may also analyze the causes of the changes, predict investigation outcomes, and illustrate observations.

Differentiating the use of Journals
Students who need more support
1. Write a list of what is observed.
2. Compare what is observed to previous documentation.
3. Illustrate their findings.
4. Predict what will happen next.

Students who can work alone or with a partner

1. Write about what is observed and explain why they think it is this way.
2. Compare previous documentation and try to analyze specific causes of the change.
3. Illustrate and label findings.
4. Predict what will be observed next and predict investigation outcomes.

Students who are able to go beyond

1. Write a summary statement of what is observed. Include comparative information.
   Analyze causes to support predictions of future observations.
2. Illustrate and label findings using correct scientific terminology for plant parts.
3. Based on observations, predict what would happen if the investigations were extended by one week, two weeks,...

Riparian Forest Buffers

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Riparian forest buffers are areas of trees alongside streams and rivers. These streamside forests are ecosystems that provide food and habitat for stream communities. They also are very important in controlling pollution. The riparian forest buffers protect the quality of water in the streams. They work as filters, transformers, sinks, and sources.

Filters
As a filter, tree roots and fallen leaves can help keep the soil from eroding and running off into the streams. Sediment run off is one of the most common pollution problems. Toxic chemicals stuck on the soil sediment are filtered out and trapped in the soil.

Transformers
As tree roots trap the sediment run off, they create soil rich moisture and bacteria. These bacteria can transform or change some toxic chemicals into harmless gases which can be used by plants and the bacteria themselves.

Sinks
The streamside forests can work as sinks by storing nutrients for a long time. The nutrients can be stored in the soil which was trapped by the roots, in the trees themselves, and in the fallen leaves on the ground. The nutrients are then used by animals as they eat the tree products or by plants when they take nutrients from the soil.

Sources
Trees provide a food source for the water inhabitants. The leaves, fruit, branches, and insects that fall from the trees into the water are eaten by fish, bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates that live in the streams. The trees are also a source of shade which helps control the temperature of the stream.

Riparian Forest Buffers
Investigation and Activities

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Materials

• Paint tray
• clay
• 2" sponge
• muddy water
• Riparian forest buffers information sheet

Activity I
Read the information about riparian forest buffers.

Set up a mock forest buffer by securing sponge strips to the base of the ramp in the paint tray with clay. Sponge strips may overlap as long as the strips extend the entire width of the base of the ramp. Make sure you leave room for the water to pool in the tray beyond the sponge strips.

Based on the information you have read about riparian forest buffers, predict what you think will happen when the water is poured in the paint tray at the top of the ramp.

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Activity II

Carefully pour the water in the tray at the top of the ramp. Watch it flow down the ramp, through the sponge, and into the base of the tray.

With your group, discuss the purpose of a filter. How does the sponge act as a filter? Talk about the significance of transformers.

On your own, draw and label a diagram of your mock forest buffer. Explain in your own words how the sponge is significant in the investigation about forest buffers.

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Activity III
This is a short-term investigation. Why can't the spong domonstrate the function of a natural sink?
Explain why the stability of a riparian forest buffer can work as a sink?

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ActivityIV
Discuss with the group what might happen if you cut away a two inch section of the sponge in the paint tray and repeat the investigation.

On your own think about and write what might happen to the sources provided by a riparian forest buffer if a section of trees in the buffer was removed.

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**Sources
Riparian Forest Buffers. Online image available

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