Intro to Water Resources Part 1 without notes

  

Introduction to Water

Resources Our Great Lakes: Why does it matter?

  

Why is Water Important?

 _ Sustains life on earth _ Natural Systems Agriculture

  

  You are 70% water!

  

  It’s the universal solvent

  

  Modifies the temperature of the earth Why Worry?  _ Unequal distribution

  Canada has 0.5% of world’s population, 20% of _ freshwater supply China has 21% of world’s population, 7% of freshwater supply

   Overuse for irrigation

  

Increasing populations with no freshwater

   _ Industry

  Pollution Why Worry?

We are the water planet, but not much of it is usable to us!

  The Hydrologic Cycle 

  One water molecule may be used 1000s of times…it moves around from place to place! 

  

The cycle is powered by solar energy and

_ gravity _ Evaporates from soil and surface

  Flows through rivers and streams to rest in lakes

   Surface water

   Groundwater

  Where is the Water? 

  Recharge zone – where water infiltrates an aquifer

  

  Discharge – the volume of water carried by a river

  

Abiotic Components of Aquatic

Habitats 

  Dissolved Oxygen

  

  Biological Oxygen Demand

  

  Nutrient Loads

  

  Substrate

   _ Temperature Stratification Abiotic: Dissolved Oxygen 

  Aquatic organisms need oxygen in the water to survive 

  How does oxygen enter the water? 

  

Some organisms are very sensitive to DO

levels 

  Temperature affects how water holds oxygen

  

Abiotic: Biological Oxygen

Demand 

  Also known as BOD 

  Decomposers need oxygen 

  Organic pollution affects BOD

  

Abiotic: Substrate



  The composition of matter at the bottom of a water body

  

  Affects fish spawning, turbidity

  

  How can human use change substrate? Abiotic: Temperature 

  Pumpkinseeds can be found in shallow, cool to moderately warm water. They are most prevalent in small lakes and ponds or weedy bays of larger lakes. Preferring cover of some type, such as aquatic vegetation or submerged brush, they are seldom found in open water.

  Pumpkinseeds are more tolerant of low oxygen levels than bluegills are, but less tolerant of warm water. Nutrients – Time Out 

  

How do nutrients

enter a water body? 

  Natural 

  Man-made 

  Why does it matter?

  

Lake Succession



  Water bodies will undergo succession

  

  A young, nutrient poor water body is called “Oligotrophic”

  

  Over time it undergoes a process called _ “Eutrophication” _ What adds nutrients? How do the

  characteristics of the lake change? Lake Succession

  Cultural Eutrophication 

  Eutrophication is a natural process 

  Humans speed it up by adding nutrients 

  Fertilizer 

  Grass clippings 

  Clearing buffer zone 

  Animal agriculture 

  Organic pollution 

  Sewage Lake Lansing, in Haslett

  

Types of Water Bodies



  Lakes

  

  Rivers _

  Different speeds, widths, depths 

  Wetlands

  

  Groundwater

  

  Michigan’s resources?

  Wetlands 

  What is a wetland? 

  Wet or standing water for at least 2 weeks of the year 

  Wetland soils 

  Wetland plants present 

  

It’s not enough just to flood an area…that’s not “creating a wetland” Marsh 

  Dominated by grasses and reeds

  

  High in nutrients

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  High diversity of wildlife

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  Great blue heron, spring peepers, mink, red winged blackbird Swamp 

  Dominated by trees

  

  May or may not have standing water

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  Very important for winter wildlife habitat in Northern Michigan

  

  Cedar, hemlock, mosses, deer Bog 

  Unique system _ “Old” lake _ Mined for peat _ Bog mat of sphagnum moss _ High nutrients, slow decomposition

   Tamarack, cranberries, pitcher plants, sundew _ Preservation

  Next time…  _ The rest of the water bodies… _ Groundwater _ Watersheds

  Rivers