6.8 Watersheds and Wetlands

Multiple Choice

Why are wetlands important?

• Providing somewhere to play

• maintaining water quality

• Because I said so

• They are needed to make it rain

Exploring Virginia Watersheds

Discover the diverse and fascinating watersheds of Virginia, from the Chesapeake Bay to the Appalachian Mountains. Learn about the importance of these ecosystems and the challenges they face in today's world.

Introduction to Watersheds

• Definition: A watershed is an area of land that drains all the water falling within it into a common outlet, such as a river or lake.

• Importance: Watersheds provide drinking water, habitat for plants and animals, and recreational opportunities.

• Components: Watersheds consist of streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and the surrounding land.

• Virginia Watersheds: Virginia has several major watersheds, including the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the James River watershed.

Multiple Choice

What is a watershed?

• An area of land that drains all the water falling within it into a common outlet

• A type of plant found in Virginia watersheds

• A recreational activity in Virginia watersheds

• A species of animal found in Virginia watersheds

Watershed:

An area of land that drains all the water falling within it into a common outlet. Did you know that watersheds can vary in size from a few acres to millions of square miles? They play a crucial role in providing clean water, habitat for wildlife, and recreational opportunities. Protecting and managing watersheds is essential for maintaining a healthy environment.

Importance of Watersheds

• Watersheds are crucial for maintaining water quality and quantity.
• They provide habitat for diverse plant and animal species.
• Watersheds support agriculture and provide drinking water for communities.
• Protecting watersheds is essential for sustainable development.

Multiple Select

What is the importance of watersheds? (Choose 3)

• Maintaining water quality and quantity

• Providing habitat for diverse plant and animal species

• Supporting agriculture and providing drinking water

• Protecting watersheds for sustainable development

Protecting Watersheds

Trivia: Watersheds are crucial for sustainable development. They maintain water quality and quantity, provide habitat for diverse species, support agriculture, and offer drinking water. Protecting watersheds is essential for a sustainable future.

• Water quality and quantity are maintained
• Diverse plant and animal species find habitat
• Agriculture is supported
• Drinking water is provided

Types of Virginia Watersheds

• Coastal Plain Watersheds: Located in the eastern part of the state, these watersheds are influenced by the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean.

• Piedmont Watersheds: Found in the central region, these watersheds are characterized by rolling hills and diverse ecosystems.

• Mountain Watersheds: Situated in the western part of Virginia, these watersheds are home to the Appalachian Mountains and provide important water resources.

Multiple Choice

Which region of Virginia is characterized by rolling hills and diverse ecosystems?

• Coastal Plain Watersheds

• Piedmont Watersheds

• Mountain Watersheds

• Great Valley Region

Piedmont Watersheds

Piedmont Watersheds in Virginia are known for their rolling hills and diverse ecosystems. They are home to a variety of plant and animal species, making them a hotspot for biodiversity. The region's unique topography and climate contribute to its rich natural heritage. Explore the beauty of Piedmont Watersheds and discover the wonders of Virginia's landscape.

Virginia Watersheds

• Chesapeake Bay Watershed: Largest watershed in Virginia, covering over 64,000 square miles.
• Potomac River Watershed: Flows through northern Virginia, providing drinking water to millions.
• James River Watershed: Home to diverse wildlife and recreational activities.
• Rappahannock River Watershed: Known for its scenic beauty and important role in agriculture.

Multiple Choice

Which watershed in Virginia is known for its scenic beauty and important role in agriculture?

• Chesapeake Bay Watershed

• Potomac River Watershed

• James River Watershed

• Rappahannock River Watershed

Rappahannock River Watershed

The Rappahannock River Watershed in Virginia is known for its scenic beauty and important role in agriculture. It is home to diverse wildlife and provides a vital source of water for the region. The watershed supports a thriving agricultural industry, including vineyards and farms that produce crops like corn and soybeans. The Rappahannock River Watershed is a cherished natural resource in Virginia.

Threats to Virginia Watersheds

• Urbanization: Increased impervious surfaces lead to water pollution and reduced water quality.
• Agricultural Runoff: Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides contaminates water bodies.
• Industrial Pollution: Discharge of chemicals and waste into waterways harms aquatic life.
• Climate Change: Rising temperatures and extreme weather events impact water availability and quality.

Multiple Select

What are some factors that contribute to water pollution and reduced water quality? (Choose 2)

• Increased use of fertilizers and pesticides

• Decreased impervious surfaces

• Reduced industrial activity

• Rising temperatures and extreme weather events

Water Pollution Trivia

• Increased use of fertilizers and pesticides is one of the factors contributing to water pollution and reduced water quality.
• Decreased impervious surfaces also play a role in water pollution.
• Reduced industrial activity can help improve water quality.
• Rising temperatures and extreme weather events are major factors affecting water pollution.

​Wetlands

• ​vegetation

• hydrology

• soil

​3 Characteristics

​In order to be considered wetlands it has to meet 3 criteria:

Open Ended

What is a watershed?

Plants must be able to grow in flooded or near-flooded environments.

​

​Vegetation

Hydrology

​​Water must move abundantly above and through soil
(flooding)

Must be made predominantly of peat or decaying plant material.

Soil

But how much is left?

• 50% of wetlands gone in the last century

• 60,000 acres lost annually

• loss due to

  • dredging (removal of sediments mainly for ships)

  • draining (agricultural)

  • filling (agriculture/development)

Open Ended

What is an example of ridgeline and divides?

Multiple Choice

How many acres of wetlands do we lose annually?

• 200,000 acres
• 50,000 acres
• 10,000 acres
• 60,000 acres

Multiple Choice

What is not a criteria of wetlands?

• Water scarcity
• High water table
• decayed plant material in soil

• Abundance of aquatic plants

Open Ended

Where do all River systems lead to?

• ~40% of all plant and animal species worldwide call wetlands home.

• includes ~50% of all endangered/threatened species

​

Provides habitat

• ​Soil act as sponges

• Vegetation provides an energy buffer

​Flooding Protection

Open Ended

What is a Tributary?

• Facilitates several biogeochemical cycles including:

  • nitrogen

  • sulfur

  • phosphorous

  • carbon

​Cycling Substances

​Wetlands maintain the water shed by providing for rivers.

​

Maintain water sheds

​Filter out toxins and pollutants.

​

Nature's detox

​The Everglades

Multiple Choice

Why are wetlands important?

• Providing somewhere to play

• maintaining water quality

• Because I said so

• They are needed to make it rain

• ​1.5 million acres

  • less than half remain of original size

• largest subtropic habitat

• largest set of mangroves

• supplies water to 8 million people

Facts

​More Facts...

• Only place alligators and crocodiles coexist

• massive Burmese python problem

  • Exotic animal trade

• Only place you can find the Florida panther

  • last remaining member of the Puma subspecies in the Eastern United States

Open Ended

An Estuary is a mix .......water and .......water.

First dredging for the North New River Canal

​​1906

​Draining of Lake Okeechobee

1928

Kissimmee river is channelized by the Army Corps of Engineers

​​1961-1971

Restoration | NC DEQ

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Open Ended

What is the largest estuaries in teh USA

Multiple Choice

What is destroying wetlands?

• Climate change
• Human activities
• Wildlife
• Natural disasters

Multiple Choice

What happens when we lose wetlands?

• Increase in biodiversity, water quality, flooding, and carbon storage.
• No impact on biodiversity, water quality, flooding, and carbon storage.
• Negative impacts on biodiversity, water quality, flooding, and carbon storage.
• Positive impacts on biodiversity, water quality, flooding, and carbon storage.

Match

Match the following

• Chesapeake Bay

• Estuary

• Wetland

• Tributary

• River Systems

 largest and one of the most productive estuaries in the United States

fresh river water empties into the salty waters of an ocean

are transition zones between dry land and bodies of water

are streams and smaller rivers that join together to form a larger river as they move across a water

includes all the branches of water as if flows across a watershed to the ocean.

•  largest and one of the most productive estuaries in the United States

• fresh river water empties into the salty waters of an ocean

• are transition zones between dry land and bodies of water

• are streams and smaller rivers that join together to form a larger river as they move across a water

• includes all the branches of water as if flows across a watershed to the ocean.

Multiple Choice

What is not a function of wetlands?

• Habitat for wildlife
• Water purification
• Increased flooding

• Carbon dioxide emission

Multiple Choice

Where is most freshwater found?

• Underground aquifers
• Oceans and seas
• Rivers and lakes
• Glaciers and groundwater

Multiple Choice

How do wetlands prevent flooding?

• By absorbing and storing excess water during heavy rainfall or storms
• By releasing excess water during heavy rainfall or storms
• By increasing the water level during heavy rainfall or storms
• By blocking the flow of water during heavy rainfall or storms

Multiple Choice

Eutrophication is caused by

• Excessive nutrients
• Climate change
• Lack of nutrients
• Pollution

Multiple Select

What is the highest use of water in the United States?

• Industrial use
• Residential use
• Agriculture
• Thermoelectric power generation

Multiple Choice

What event led to the creation of the Clean Water Act?

• Cuyahoga River catching fire
• Implementation of water conservation measures
• Discovery of a new water source
• Passage of the Clean Air Act

Multiple Choice

The chief water pollutant in NC is

• sediment

• phosphorus
• carbon dioxide
• oxygen

Multiple Choice

What country has the largest water withdrawal per capita?

• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• Qatar
• United States

Multiple Choice

What is an organic water pollutant?

• A pollutant containing carbon

• A pollutant derived from minerals
• A pollutant derived from inorganic compounds
• A pollutant derived from synthetic materials

Multiple Choice

Cryptosporidium is an example of what type of water pollutant?

• Biological
• Radiological
• Physical
• Chemical