Ecosystem Case Study

• Research is an important part of science. • Over the next several weeks, you will be

researching one local ecosystem as a culminating project for the Ecosystem unit.

• You will conduct your research with a team of other researchers, who happen to be sitting at your lab table.

Ecosystem Case Study

• At the end of your research, you will present your findings in the form of a project

• Your research will consist of:– internet research

– a personal interview of a scientist working in the ecosystem you are studying.

Ecosystem Case Study

An introduction to 3 Ecosystems

Baker River Ecosystem

• Location: Baker Lake, Lake Shannon, Baker River & where it enters the Skagit River. About 10 miles north of Concrete, WA

Challenges to the Baker River Ecosystem

• Recent logging• Balancing the needs of having a dam to create

hydroelectric power & flood control while providing stable stream flows & passage for fish.

• Rising water temperatures & a buildup of silt due to dam construction.

• Higher dissolved gas levels caused by dam.

Work being done to address the challenges

• Water quality & flow monitoring.• Trapping & transporting fish over the dam in a transport tank.

•Monitoring fish spawning • •Raising fish in a fish hatchery

Scientist Doing the Work

Michael Ficklin: Fish & Wildlife Specialist III for Puget Sound Energy

Nooksack River Ecosystem

• Location: Whatcom County, starting from Mount Baker and the 3 Sisters and ending in Bellingham Bay.

Challenges to the Nooksack River• Past tree removal & railroad construction • Development alongside the river that is

impacting the river • Rising water temperatures due to human

activity

Work being done to address the challenges

• Scientists are building logjams to improve the river & create habitat for Salmon

• Scientists are planting trees to improve the river & keep the water cool

Scientists Doing the Work• Victor Insera:

Watershed Restoration Coordinator for the Nooksack Indian Tribe

• Ned Currence: Fisheries Biologist for the Nooksack Indian Tribe

Skagit Estuary Ecosystem• Location:

Where the Skagit River enters the bay

Challenges to the Skagit Estuary & Stillaguamish Ecosystems

• Mini-dams built• Water in estuary

has been drained to prevent flooding of nearby agriculture

• Human development in estuary

Work Being Done to Address Challenges

• Changing agriculture land back to an estuary while keeping some of the human benefits

Floodgate Replacement

Drainage Re-route

Scientist doing the WorkJenny Baker: Senior Restoration Manager from

“The Nature Conservancy”

Time to Choose!

• With your partner(s), rank the ecosystems you would like to study for your Ecosystem Case Study in order of your preference.

• i.e. #1 = your first choice, #3 = your last choice • Briefly explain your reasons for your ranking.

What is the reason for your #1 choice? Last choice?