Pickering Creek Watershed Poster Project
In addition to the graphs, biotic community surveys, and stream data analyses that we will be generating
in class, each stream study group will be required to present a tri-fold poster detailing the work they
completed in Pickering Creek at the Phoenixville YMCA. Each person in the group will be assigned a
different part to create.
A poster allows our more creative science students to use a variety of visual modalities (photographs,
diagrams, models) in order to explain their field study. Written information should answer the
questions provided concisely but clear and understandably.
You will have time to work in class on the project (a minimum of 2 days in class), but additional, at home
work may be required. A list of approved websites for research is found on my webpage. This will be
due at the beginning of class on May 30th.
Individual Parts (50 points)
Part 1
 What is an ecosystem? Define ecosystem and biome, include a description of abiotic factors of
the terrestrial biome in Southeastern PA (temperate deciduous forest)
 What is a watershed? Include a diagram of how watersheds work. Describe the Pickering
Watershed (Include a map of the Pickering Watershed that illustrates the proportions of the land
that are residential, agricultural, wooded, and urban)
 Describe the aspects of the stream ecosystem (difference between pelagic, riparian and benthic
zones)
 Include your aerial sketch of your area of study (with the requirements provided)
 Cite your sources
Part 2
 Include the stream flow volume calculation
o Why is stream flow (velocity/volume) important to different species and pollutants?
o How does stream flow affect amount of dissolved oxygen?
 Include a stream bottom profile (should identify the water depth and sediment depth)
o What is turbidity? How does it affect the vegetation and animal life in the stream?
 Cite your sources
Part 3
 What are biological indicators of ecosystem health?
o Identify the 6 most common benthic invertebrates in Pickering Creek; include a sketch of
the benthic and a description of its diet and tolerance for pollution.
o Include your calculation for biotic index for both zones (pool and riffle)
 What does your biotic index tell you about the current condition of the stream?
o What roles does phytoplankton play in the stream ecosystem?
o How could phytoplankton negatively affect the health of a stream?
o What role does zooplankton play in the stream ecosystem?
o Explain zooplankton as an indicator of a healthy stream
 Cite your sources
Part 4
 Include a chart that indicates the pH, hardness, nitrate, phosphate and oxygen levels; should
include a description of the quality of the water.
o Refer to the Chemical data; describe what factors affect the pH of the stream. Describe
how pH affects living things.
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Refer to the Chemical data; what is the source of water hardness? Describe how hardness
affects living things.
Include a graph of air and water temperature over time
o Air temperature can change more drastically over time then water temperature. Describe
why water temperature is more stable and how that affects an environment.
Cite your sources
Part 5
 How are living things connected in an ecosystem?
o Diagram a food web from the Pickering Creek Ecosystem; must include 4 types of
plankton, 4 benthic insects, and 4 riparian plants, and 2 higher carnivores found in and
Pickering Creek (use requirements provided)
 What human activities affect the stream ecosystem?
o Summarize the negative human impacts on the Schuylkill Watershed. Hypothesize what
sources of pollution are found in the Pickering Watershed
 What can we do to improve the stream ecosystem?
o Summarize the efforts to improve the stream ecosystem.
o A developer has decided to build a golf course in Charlestown Township. The Pickering
Creek will go through the course. Describe what the developer should do to lessen the
impact to the watershed.
 Cite your sources
Part 6 – (groups of 6 only)
 How do materials cycle through ecosystems?
o Include a diagram that shows how carbon and oxygen cycle through the stream
ecosystem; should have a caption that describes the diagram
o Include a diagram that shows how water cycles through the stream ecosystem; should
have a caption that describes the diagram
 What are some invasive species found in and around the Pickering Creek?
o Include a drawing and description of habitat and adaptations for invasive species
including:
 1 tree
 1 shrub/herb
 1 aquatic animal
 1 land animal
o Explain why invasive species are bad for the community structure
 Cite your sources
Format Grade (10 pts)
 All diagrams and pictures are in color - 2 pts
 All writing is typed, 12 pt font – 2 pts
 Headings are large, minimum 36 pt font; headings should not be “Part 1”, “Part 2”, etc. They
should describe the information that is presented. Each student’s parts should include their name
– 1 pt
 Presentation overall is neat and eye-catching – 5 pts
Part 1 Name ___________________________________
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_____/ 4 points. What is an ecosystem?
o Define ecosystem – 1 pt
o Define biome – 1 pt
o Description of the abiotic factors of the temperate deciduous forest – 2 pts
_____/5 points. What is a watershed?
o Diagram of how water drains in a watershed – 3 pts
o Written description of how a watershed works – 2 pt
_____/ 7 points. Describe the Pickering Watershed
o Map describes land use – 3 points
o Map shows location – 2 points
o Map is accurate - 2 pts
_____/ 6 points. Describe the aspects of the stream ecosystem
o Define/describe (or illustrate) pelagic – 2 pts
o Define/describe (or illustrate) benthic – 2 pts
o Define/describe (or illustrate) riparian – 2 pts
______/25 points. Include your aerial sketch of your area of study
o Must be drawn to scale on graph paper. Each square on the graph paper should
represent 1 foot by 1 foot square at the stream. You may be required to attach
sheets together because of the size of the area. – 4 points
o The following exact measurements should be shown – 2 points
 Width of the stream at the transect line
 Distance from transect line and nearest bank for each benthic collection
zone
o The approximate location of following tests should be shown – 3 points
 Plankton net
 Air & Water Temperature measurement
 Velocity test
o Labeled locations and representations of each of your 10 riparian vegetation
collection. – 5 points
o Identify the approximate location AND area of the pool and riffle zones in your
area of study* - 2 points
o Draw the approximate shape of the bank – 2 points
o Draw the approximate location of islands, peninsulas, rocks, fallen trees – 2
points
o Use color wherever possible to make the picture accurate and easy to read;
Drawing is neat and writing is clear and legible – 3 points
o Include a key – 2 points
_____/3 points. Cite your sources (should have at least 1 outside source) correctly using
MLA format.
_____/50 points
_____/10 format points
_____/60 total
Part 2 ____________________________________
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______/13 points. Include the stream flow volume calculation
o Accurate – 9 points
o Work shown – 4 points
_____/8 points. Written Description
o Why is stream flow important to different species and pollutants? – 4 pts
o How does stream flow affect the dissolved oxygen? – 4 pts
_____/ 20 points. Include a stream bottom profile
o Identify the water depth and sediment depth (accuracy) – 10 points
o Axes labeled – 2 points
o Title – 2 points
o Legend – 2 points
o Data reversed to represent bottom – 2 points
o Neatly done by hand; or on Excel (or other computer program) – 2 pts
_____/6 points. Written Description
o What is turbidity? – 2 pts
o How does it affect vegetation and animal life in the stream – 4 pts
_____/3 points. Cite your sources (should have at least 1 outside source) correctly using
MLA format.
_____/50 points
_____/10 format points
_____/60 total
Part 3_________________________________________
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______/18 points. Identify the 6 most common benthic invertebrates in Pickering Creek
o Include a sketch of the benthic (1 points each; 6 pts)
o Description of its diet and tolerance for pollution (2 points each; 12 pts)
______/16 points. Include your calculation for biotic index (pool, riffle, total)
 Table re-created for each zone – 4 pts
 Work shown – 4 points
 Accurate – 8 points
______/ 13 points. Written description/explanations
o What does your biotic index tell you about the current condition of the stream? –
3 points
o What roles does phytoplankton play in the stream ecosystem? - 3 points
o How could phytoplankton negatively affect the health of a stream? – 2 points
o What role does zooplankton play in the stream ecosystem? – 3 points
o Explain zooplankton as an indicator of a healthy stream – 2 points
______/ 3 points. Cite your sources (should have at least 1 outside source) correctly using
MLA format.
_____/50 points
_____/10 format points
_____/60 total
Part 5 ______________________________________
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______/36 points. Diagram a food web from the Pickering Creek Ecosystem;
For each, the correct common name (and/or scientific name) should be included along
with an accurate sketch or picture. A brief description of the size and an identifying
characteristic should be included.
o 4 types of plankton (2 zooplankton, 2 phytoplankton) – 8 points
o 4 benthic insect larva – 8 points
o 4 riparian plants
 2 trees – 4 pts
 2 herbs/shrubs/wildflowers – 4 pts
o 2 higher carnivores – 4 points
o Color code their trophic level(s) – 4 points
o Correct direction of arrows – 2 points
o Accuracy (based on our prior research) – 2 pts
______/11 points Written description
o Summarize the negative human impacts on the Schuylkill Watershed – 3 pts
Hypothesize what sources of pollution are found in the Pickering Watershed – 2
pts
o Summarize the efforts to improve the stream ecosystem – 3 pts
o A developer has decided to build a golf course in Charlestown Township. The
Pickering Creek will go through the course. Describe what the developer should
do to lessen the impact to the watershed – 3 pts
______/ 3 points. Cite your sources (should have at least 1 outside source) correctly using
MLA format.
_____/50 points
_____/10 format points
_____/60 total
Part 4 _________________________________________
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______/8 points. Re-create the chart that indicates the pH, hardness, nitrate, phosphate
and oxygen levels
______/10 points. Include a written analysis of each aspect of the water quality (what is
the ideal range? What is the source of this chemical in water?)
______/ 6 points. Elaborate on the following aspects:
o Describe what factors affect the pH of the stream. Describe how pH affects living
things. – 3 points
o Describe how hardness affects living things. – 3 points
_____/16 points Graph of air and water temperature over time
o Identify the water temperature and air temperature (accuracy) – 8 points
o Axes labeled – 2 points
o Title – 2 points
o Legend – 2 points
o Neatly done by hand; or on Excel (or other computer program) – 2 pts
_____/ 7 points. Written description
o Describe the data trends seen in the water and air temperature (how did each
change over time?) – 3 points
o Describe why water temperature is more stable and how that affects an
environment. – 4 points
______/ 3 points. Cite your sources (should have at least 1 outside source) correctly using
MLA format.
_____/50 points
_____/10 format points
_____/60 total
Part 6 _________________________________________ (ONLY GROUPS OF 6)
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_____/14 points. Include a diagram that shows how water cycles through the stream
ecosystem
o Diagram accurate (includes evaporation, transpiration, run-off,
percolation/infiltration, condensation, precipitation) – 10 points
o Diagram clear/neat – 2 points
o Should have a caption that describes the diagram – 2 points
_____/14 points. Include a diagram that shows how carbon and oxygen cycle through the
stream ecosystem
o Diagram accurate (shows photosynthesis, respiration (by all groups),
sequestration, combustion) – 10 points
o Diagram clear/neat – 2 points
o Should have a caption that describes the diagram – 2 points
_____/ 16 points. What are some invasive species found in and around the Pickering
Creek?
o Include a drawing and description of habitat and adaptations for invasive species
including:
 1 tree – 4 pts
 1 shrub/herb – 4 pts
 1 aquatic animal – 4 pts
 1 land animal –4 pts
o Written explanation why invasive species are bad for the community structure – 3
points
______/ 3 points. Cite your sources (should have at least 1 outside source) correctly using
MLA format.
_____/50 points
_____/10 format points
_____/60 total
Tri-fold poster layout
Descriptive Title with
Part 2
group members’ names
Flow calculation
Part 4
Chemistry
& descriptions
Stream bottom
Part 1
profile graph
Part 3
Map of
Air & Water
Pickering
temp
Watershed
Aerial Sketch
Part 5
Benthics and
Food Web
biotic index
data
Part 6
Chemical
cycles
Part 6 –
Invasive
species
Part 5 – Human Impacts and
Improvement efforts
OR