Aquatic environment 2009 revised 06 04 09

Healthy Aquatic Environments Abundant with living organisms, especially macro-

invertebrates Healthy plant life Trees nearby Water is well aerated and flows quickly Many riffles Algae on the rocks

Macro invertebrates

Healthy Aquatic Environments

Healthy Aquatic Environments

Flow Regime

Chemical Variables

Biotic Factors

Energy Source

Habitat Structure

Land Use

Velocity

Ground Water

Precipitation & Run off

High/Low Extremes

Solubilities

Absorption

Nutrients

Organics Hardness

TurbidityTemperature

pH

Disease

Reproduction

Feeding

Parasitism Competition

Predation

Sunlight

Nutrients

Organic Matter Inputs 1 and 2

Production

Seasonal Cycles Canopy

Width/Depth

Current

Riparian Vegetation

Siltation

Sinuosity

Substrate Instream CoverGradient

Channel Morphology

Bank Stability

The Mahwah River -Part of the Mahwah River Watershed

Trout Release in the Mahwah Riverat Kakiat Park

Unhealthy Aquatic Environments Polluted water Debris left by humans Iridescent film on surface of water Little life: only pollution-tolerant organisms

Exploring and Observing the Stream Behind Montebello School

The Stream Behind Montebello School:A Tributary of the Mahwah River

Montebello School’s Eco-Citizens

Six Simple Ways to Preserve or Improve a Stream’s Health

Keep a ten foot buffer zone between the yard and the stream

Plant shrubs with dense root systems to prevent erosion

Do not dump leaves and grass onto the stream bank or in the stream

Help clean trash out of streams Don’t change the path of the stream Keep septic systems in good condition

Interview with Alden H. Wolfe, Deputy Majority Leader of

The Legislature of Rockland County Drainage Agency: Oversees the Highway Department’s

Management and Care of Local Streams; Checks Streams Twice a Year

1976 Streams Law: Protects freshwater, wetlands, swamps, and wildlife from problems caused by flooding

2001 Stream Conservation Law: Streams designated as “county streams” are maintained by the county

County Permission Must Be Obtained for Development of Land 100 ft. from a Stream

Montebello School’s Student Pledges

I am a responsible citizen of this world.

I promise to…