Lesson Title: Riparian Zone
Subject: Science
Grade: Intermediate Elementary Time: 1 – 1.5 hrs
Rationale: The purpose of this lesson is for students to discover the fundamental role riparian
zones play in the overall health of watersheds. Riparian zones of the Nechako watershed
impact all organisms, including the Nechako white sturgeon.
Prescribed Learning Outcome(s): It is expected that students will…
Grade 4 LS (Life Science):
Grade 5 ESS (Earth and Space Science):
Grade 6 (LS):
Grade 7 (LS):
Compare the structures and behaviours of local animals and plants in
different habitats and communities.
Analyse simple food chains
Determine how personal choices and actions have environmental
consequences.
Describe potential environmental impacts of using BC’s living and nonliving resources
Analyse how different organisms adapt to their environment
Analyse the roles of organisms as part of interconnected food webs,
populations, communities, and ecosystems
Assess survival needs and interactions between organisms and the
environment
Assess the requirements for sustaining healthy local ecosystems
Evaluate human impacts on local ecosystems
Instructional Objective(s): To explain what signifies a healthy riparian zone and how that
relates to overall health of the watershed.
Prerequisite Concepts and Skills: Students should be aware of what a watershed is and
where the Nechako watershed is located.
Materials and Resources:
Teacher
Students
Powerpoint presentation: Riparian Zone
SMARTboard
Computer
Map of the Nechako Watershed
Whiteboard
Markers
Sheet: A Fallen Leaf
2 large jars: one filled with rocks only, the other
rocks and silt/mud. Add water to both.
Pencils
Paper
Lesson Activities:
Teacher Activities
Student Activities
Time
Introduction (anticipatory set):
Students are asked what they know about riparian zones. (Hint: The
word "riparian" is derived from Latin ripa, meaning river bank.)
Students share prior knowledge
5-10
min.
A riparian zone is the land next to streams, rivers, lakes, and wetland
habitats where the vegetation and soils are strongly influenced by the
presence of water.
What do you think are the functions of the riparian zone?
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trap and store sediment
build banks and shores
store water and energy
recharge aquifers
filter and buffer water
reduce energy
maintain biodiversity
create primary productivity
Primary production - synthesis of new organic material from inorganic
molecules such as H2O and CO2 from the process of photosynthesis.
Organisms responsible for primary production include land plants,
marine algae and some bacteria (including cyanobacteria).
Body:
Show students the first slide in the PowerPoint presentation that displays
two photos of two different areas.
Observe.
Compare the two.
(Create a Venn Diagram with the students on the whiteboard.)
Students look at the two pictures from
Murray Creek in Vanderhoof and share their
observations.
10-15
min.
They will participate in creating a Venn
Diagram.
Continue the Powerpoint presentation while discussing that the area
next to the water is fundamental as it interacts with the life in the river.
Use the sheet A Fallen Leaf to illustrate the relationship between the
water and the riparian zone.
Students participate in discussion.
Look at slide 3: discuss what signifies a healthy riparian zone. How else
does it interact with the stream/water?
Slide 4-7: Culverts and Damaged riparian zone
Discuss the impact on riparian zones when humans inhabit and utilize an
area.
See slide notes for topics of discussion!
Experiment 1:
Display two jars, one filled with rocks (various sizes) and water,
the other with rocks, mud and water. Shake them and look at
what happens. The first one will still display clear water, even
though it was shaken. The other jar will display muddy water.
Ask students what they think sturgeons and solmonids need in
order for their eggs to develop as they should. (Clear water)
How can muddy water be prevented?
Experiment 2:
Students help create the experiment and
shake to jar to watch the water change in
the jar with the silt.
Students reflect upon the effect of silt in the
water in the spawning stage.
30-45
min.
What happens to shallow water with few or no surrounding trees?
(Heats up)
Fill 2 jars with the same temperature of water. Put one in the
sun and the next in the shade. Leave them for a while.
Discuss the effect of direct sunlight on
(shallow) water.
Show slides 8-15:
Look at the restoration pictures and discuss the Murray Creek
Rehabilitation Project.
What is being done to solve problems? (put in gravel, plant trees, install
logs and roots to improve meandering.)
Get the jars from experiment 2. Compare the water temperatures.
Review how fast temperature increases in direct sun. How does this
affect the habitat in the stream?
Closure:
Talk about the fact that any impact in a stream will affect the river it
runs into and the life in it. (Possibly review watershed map).
Before the end of lesson, students have to complete a ticket out the
door on which they write what signifies a healthy riparian zone.
Students participate in discussing the
rehabilitation in Murray Creek.
Students feel the water temperature and
reflect upon the effect of sunlight and little
shade.
Students review the connection between
the riparian zone, tributary streams, and the
river.
Students show what they know by sharing
knowledge by writing a ticket out the door.
Organizational and/or Behavioural Management Strategies:
The more students are involved in discussion and problem-solving, the more engaged
they will hopefully become which reduces opportunities for misbehavior.
Assessment and Evaluation: Students are assessed on the ticket out the door on what
signifies a healthy riparian zone.
Extensions:
Take the students on a nature hike to a riparian zone and observe the plants and animals
that live there. Encourage the students to focus on relationships between the various
organisms.
Field trip to Murray Creek in Vanderhoof: this area provides students with an opportunity
to visit various sites of different kinds of riparian zones: a healthy, a damaged (where a
stream diverts into a farmer’s field), as well as a restored area.
Let students take part in a restoration project.
10 min.