Stream Ecosystem Concepts Assessment

Chris Wright, an aquatic biologist, introduces stream monitoring and its importance. He explains stream ecology, focusing on organism interactions and the roles of various stream organisms. The video covers physical features of streams, including flow, light, and temperature, and their impact on habitats and organisms. It discusses dissolved oxygen and pH levels, emphasizing their significance in stream health. The river continuum concept is introduced, illustrating how streams change from headwaters to large rivers, influenced by riparian vegetation and stream size.

What is one of the primary reasons we monitor streams?

• To calculate the depth of water

• To understand the ecological impact of streams

• To find gold deposits

• To measure the speed of fish

Which of the following is NOT a component of stream biota?

• Rocks

• Macroinvertebrates

• Fish

• Birds

What is the primary function of a stream in terms of water movement?

• To store water

• To move water from point A to point B

• To freeze water

• To evaporate water

Which factor does NOT influence the amount of light reaching a stream?

• Water depth

• Water temperature

• Time of day

• Streamside vegetation

What is the term for the speed of water in a stream?

• Velocity

• Power

• Flow

• Discharge

What is the primary source of energy in stream ecosystems?

• Sunlight

• Water currents

• Wind

• Soil nutrients

How does temperature affect dissolved oxygen levels in streams?

• Higher temperatures increase oxygen levels

• Lower temperatures decrease oxygen levels

• Higher temperatures decrease oxygen levels

• Temperature has no effect on oxygen levels

What does a pH level below 6 in a stream indicate?

• The stream is alkaline

• The stream is acidic

• The stream is neutral

• The stream is very basic

What is the river continuum concept primarily concerned with?

• The speed of water flow in streams

• The chemical composition of stream water

• The changes in stream ecosystems from headwaters to large rivers

• The static nature of streams

Which dimension is NOT considered in the four dimensions of a stream ecosystem?

• Longitudinal

• Diagonal

• Lateral

• Vertical