Resource Manual

970 Spencer Road Avondale, Pennsylvania 19311

610-268-2153 (voice) 610-268-0490 (facsimile) www.stroudcenter.org

© 2010 Stroud Water Research Center, Inc. Copyright claimed throughout exclusive of U.S. government images (as noted)

Macroinvertebrate images prepared for Stroud Water Research Center by Mr. Kevin Gill.

Leaf Pack Network® Manual

Overview Goals & Objectives Leaf Pack Process & Network Outline Implementation Plan Application Form

Background Information

Procedures

Getting Started Preparing Leaf Packs For the Stream Placing Leaf Packs In the Stream Collecting Leaf Packs From the Stream Lab Procedures Entering Data on the Leaf Pack Network

Data Sheets Site Data Field Data I Field Data II - Experimental Habitat Data Sheets Team Data Sheet: Macroinvertebrate Data Leaf Pack Summary Sheet: Macroinvertebrate Data Project Summary Data Sheet: Macroinvertebrate Data

Macroinvertebrate Identification Resources Taxonomy Life Cycle Macroinvertebrate Identification Guides

Learning Activities Leaf Pack Tree Activities: Creating a Key, Tree-Leaf Identification Worksheet Determining Stream Discharge Macroinvertebrate ID Card Game Macroinvertebrate Analysis Worksheets EPT Richness Worksheet Leaf Pack Network Crossword Puzzle

Appendix Glossary Leaf Pack Equipment List LPN Web Resources

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Leaf Pack Network® Manual

What is the Leaf Pack Network®? The Leaf Pack Network® (LPN) is a network of teachers and students investigating their local stream ecosystems. The investigation uses the Leaf Pack Experiment Kit from the LaMotte Company. After conducting their own leaf pack experiment, these schools share their data through the network. These data shed light on the important connection between streamside forests and the ecology of rivers and streams. The Leaf Pack Experiment involves creating an artificial leaf pack (dry leaves in a mesh bag), placing it in the stream for three to four weeks and then examining the packs in the classroom, discovering different types of aquatic insects that are used as indicators of stream health. Anyone interested in learning about riparian communities can use the resources available on the Leaf Pack Network® to: Select a major watershed or a school and view data from a particular stream. Access various resources to learn about watersheds, aquatic biodiversity or data analysis. Explore interesting resources to other groups and organizations that provide information about rivers and streams.

History: The Leaf Pack Network® began as a pilot project of the Stroud Water Research Center in collaboration with the Hudson Basin River Watch and the Riverkeeper Network. Support for this project came from a grant from the William Penn Foundation as well as a contract with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Network: Science involves more than simply collecting data. Science is also the process of communicating and sharing results. Schools participating in the LPN engage in the full process of designing an experiment, conducting research, and sharing and communicating their results. With the Leaf Pack Network®, students also develop a connection to and greater understanding of issues facing their local watersheds.

How to get involved: To become involved in the LPN you will need: Materials to conduct the project (available in the Leaf Pack Experiment Kit) Computer access to the internet A stream that is safely accessible by

students LPN procedure manual For specific information on how to become involved or the location of a workshop in your area, please contact: leafpacknetwork@stroudcenter.org

Leaf Pack Network® Manual

Goals:

To promote student inquiry by using scientific methods involving observational and

explanatory activities To raise awareness of the importance of streamside forests to the ecology of rivers and

streams and to promote their stewardship

To develop a diverse and dynamic network of groups that share information about their streams, using the Internet

To use the Leaf Pack Experiment Kit and other teaching resources to improve science

education and teacher professional development

Objectives: At the conclusion of the project, students will have:

Conducted a research-oriented investigation of their local streams

Engaged in inquiry-based, hands-on data gathering and monitoring Observed and described freshwater aquatic food webs

Identified local tree species Identified local macroinvertebrate species Measured physical characteristics of a stream Identified their local watershed using a map Drawn conclusions about the relationship between habitat, land-use and macroinvertebrate

diversity and density Analyzed macroinvertebrate data by using indices to assess water quality Formulated research questions related to leaf packs

Identified a way to improve local stream water quality

Standards Alignment This project has been aligned with the National Science Education Standards (1996). To view them along with specific state standards visit www.stroudcenter.org/lpn.

Leaf Pack Experiment

and Network

Decide the purpose of

your experiment

Decide on location for

Leaf Pack experiment

(Complete Site Data

Sheet)

Fill out On-Line

Application Form

Prepare Leaf Packs

Place Leaf Packs

(Complete Habitat and

Field Data Sheets)

Process Leaf Packs

(Complete Macroinvertebrate

Data Sheets)

Submit all data

to LPN

Overview of the Leaf

Pack Experiment

Stroud Water Research Center, Leaf Pack Network® Manual, Updated 9/05

Leaf Pack Network®

Add project data as a

Participating group?

Log-on with a

Username and

Password View Data from

participating groups?

Select how you

wish to view data

Surf through

the Learning

Center?

Watersheds

Trees to

Streams Data

AnalysisView data

from a list of

Watersheds

View data

from a list of

participating

Schools

What do you

want to do?

Outline of the Leaf Pack Network®

Located at www.stroudcenter.org/lpn

Site Data

Habitat

Data

Macroinvertebrate

Data

Summary

Analysis

Enter or

Edit Data

Choose A

Watershed

Macroinvertebrates

Resources

Get

Involved?

Groups &

Agencies

Additional

Readings

State & National

Standards

On-line

Application

Form

Compare with

Other Data

On-line

Newsletters

Equipment

Choose Project

to view

Watch LPN Video

LPN in the

News

LPN in

Kenya

Project

JournalContact

Project Leader

Scientist

Interviews

FAQ's

Stroud Water Research Center, Leaf Pack Network® Manual, Updated 9/05

Leaf Pack Network® Manual, Implementation Plan

The goal of the Leaf Pack Network® is to raise the awareness of young people to the crucial link between streamside forests and the ecology of local streams.

Objectives:

To promote student inquiry by using scientific methods involving observational and explantory activities To praise awaremenss of the importance of streamside forests to the ecology of rivers and streams and to promote

their stewardship To develoop a diverse and dynamic network of groups that share information about the streams, using the Internet To use the Leaf Pack Experiment Kit and other teaching resources to improve science education and teacher

professional development

Now that you have completed a Leaf Pack training, we ask that you develop a plan to guide you toward using the Leaf Pack Experiment Kit in school and to facilitate your participation in the Network. Stroud Water Research Center will use this information to report to our funders about the implementation of programs and materials. We will also use this information to help you utilize our resources to the fullest. Name

School

Address

City State Zip

Email Phone

Which class (es) might participate in the Leaf Pack Experiment?

How many students might participate? Which grades?

What stream will be used? County

What watershed or sub-basin?

What logistical issues need to be addressed as you prepare to implement the Leaf Pack Experiment? (Include things like administrative, transportation, property access, schedules, etc….)

Implementation Plan

Leaf Pack Network® Manual, Implementation Plan

How do you envision this project serving your curricular needs? Which topics will be of particular interest to you? DESIGNING YOUR EXPERIMENT When do you plan to begin your project? Describe the stream and location you think your class will investigate. What conditions exist that will make this an interesting and effective location? If you decide to create experimental packs, what will you investigate in your project? (Different leaf species? Different stream locations such as riffles and pools? Different streams?) Please outline a basic work plan/timeline (i.e. class introduction site investigation preparation of leaf packs placement of leaf packs retrieval of leaf packs process leaf packs data analysis and sharing

Leaf Pack Network® Manual, Implementation Plan

CONTRIBUTING TO THE LEAF PACK NETWORK® Do you have computer and internet access in your classroom? How and when will you contribute your project data to the Leaf Pack Network®? How will your class use the web-based LPN resources? How else do you see sharing the information your class generates? (ie. conferences, school board meetings, township meeting, local conservation groups, etc) What other networks/projects do you utilize? SERVICE AND FOLLOW-UP How can Stroud Center assist you in this project? What other training and resources do you desire?

Leaf Pack Network® Manual

*School/Group Name:

*First name:

*Last name:

*Address:

*City:

*State:

*Zip:

*Email Address:

*Work phone:

Home phone:

Fax:

*Username:

*Password:

*Major watershed:

*Sub basin:

Once you click submit, your application will be reviewed by the Leaf Pack Network® Administrator. Upon approval, you will receive an email from the following account: leafpacknetwork@stroudcenter.org. Please add this email to your address book to ensure receipt.

ON-LINE APPLICATION FORM To become involved in the Leaf Pack Network® you will need to complete this online application

form at: http://www.stroudcenter.org/lpn/getinvolved.htm * Denotes required field.