Watershed Concepts and Ecosystem Roles

Ellen Kapitan introduces the lesson 'Discovering the Watershed' from Purdue Extension, focusing on watersheds and human impacts on water quality. The lesson includes a hands-on board game where players learn about positive and negative human impacts on water quality, aiming to support indicator species like the Eastern hellbender. The game and lesson materials are available online, encouraging students to explore local watersheds and their roles in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

What is a watershed?

• An area of land where water drains off into bodies of water

• A type of dam

• A type of water filter

• A water purification system

Which of the following is NOT a term explored in the lesson?

• Sedimentation

• Groundwater

• Soil erosion

• Photosynthesis

What is the main objective of the board game introduced in the lesson?

• To pollute the least

• To build the largest watershed

• To have the cleanest water for indicator species

• To collect the most tokens

Why are Eastern hellbenders used as indicator species?

• They are easy to find

• They are a common pet

• They thrive in polluted water

• Their presence indicates high water quality

What is a unique feature of the Eastern hellbender?

• It can fly

• It lives in deserts

• It is a type of fish

• It is a fully aquatic salamander

What materials are needed to play the Discovering the Watershed game?

• A smartphone app

• A large outdoor space

• Small tokens, a receptacle, and dice or a spinner

• A computer and internet connection

What is the goal of the Discovering the Watershed game?

• To build the largest watershed

• To collect the most beads

• To have the least amount of pollution

• To finish the game first

What do players count at the end of the board game?

• The number of cards drawn

• The number of beads in their cup

• The number of dice rolls

• The number of tokens collected

What does the lesson emphasize about individual roles?

• Each person plays a role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem

• Individuals have no impact on ecosystems

• Only scientists can impact water quality

• Ecosystems are self-sustaining without human intervention

Where can you learn more about the lesson and other activities?

• watershed.org

• nature.com

• hellbender.org

• purdue.edu/nature