Introduction

The purpose of this Web Sampler is to give you some background information on River Ecosystems, their importance and the effects of biotic and abiotic interactions on them. Work through the questions and decide what your personal committment to environmental concerns is. Your concerns or interests will be reflected in your contribution to the class econewspaper. As you work on this sampler, think about the type of contribution you might make. Our newspaper will need editors, articles, designers, advertisements, letters to the editor and local, national and world perspectives. You will be using your imagination to create an interesting and worthwhile publication. Good luck with the sampler and have fun!
You may complete the following Internet activities alone or by working in small groups (3 maximum). Complete ten of the questions,including at least two activities on newspapers.

Internet Activities

River Ramblers

1. How can humans reduce the impact that they have on river systems

Inland Systems Freshwater

1. How do biotic and abiotic organisms interact in a healthy ecosystem.

Freshwater Home Page

1. What steps are the Commonwealth Government taking to ensure that Australia's water resources are managed sustainably in the long term?

WWF Australia - Freshwater

1. When you are at the WWF Australia home page, click on the link - 'What we do', then the Queensland link and finally the freshwater link. What is the aim of the Qld Water Management Act?

Land and Water Australia

1. Click on the media link and then on the link to the Rural Press column, 'Land and Water Matters'. Select one of the past columns to analyse. Discuss the specific attributes of news reporting genre and give examples from the article you select.
2. Return to the home page. Select the Education link and scroll down to the 'Catchment Story' link that is under the subtitle - 'For Teachers and Students'. In what ways are human beings linked to rivers?

Queensland Gov. Dept. of Natural Resources and Mines

1. Click on the link to Interesting facts and then on the link to riparian buffer zones. What is the effect of too much nitrogen in our river systems and how can these nitrates be reduced?

Streams Alive

1. Select 'Electronic Library' then 'macroinvertebrates. List two types of macroinvertebrates from each of the following groups: very sensitive, sensitive, tolerant, and very tolerant.
2. From the information provided, compare the main differences between very sensitive macroinvertebrates and very tolerant macroinvertebrates.

River Management

1. Rainfall is very important to flush contaminants water, however describe how rainfall can 'contaminate' rivers.

How Healthy is your Local Freshwater Ecosystem?

1. Click on 'How healthy is your local creek, stream, lake or wetland?'. Why are creeks streams and lakes referred to as 'the lifeblood of the environment'?
2. Click back to the home page and select 'Waterways Health Check?'. Scroll to the bottom of the page and download and print the 'Waterways Health Check' document. Put this in your clear plastic folder for use on our field trip.

Interactive Sustainability Site

1. Select Australia then news. Read the press articles and press releases for Ollie's site. Why do you think Ollie appeals to children?
2. Design a logo or signature character for your class newspaper. Why would it appeal to children?
3. Click on 'kids', on the home page. Do the 'sustainability word puzzle.

Environmental Protection Agency of Queensland.

1. Select 'water monitoring', then 'assessing water quality' and then 'water quality indicators'. Scroll to water clarity. What is the effect of suspended solids on the health of a river, streams and creeks.

Schools for a Sustainable Future

1. Select the examples of newsletters that other schools have submitted. Analyse the use of persuasive genre in their writing.
2. Return to home page and scroll down to select a story written by the environmental columnist from 'The Age' newspaper. Read the article paying particular attention to the title and argument presented by the author.
3. How does the author structure her article to appeal to you, the reader

International Year of Freshwater 2003

1. Explain why you feel the United Nations declared 2003, the International Year of Freshwater.

Freshwater Habitats and Wetlands

1. What is the ecological importance of rivers and streams?

Rivers and Streams

1. What is riparian vegetation and what is it's function in a freshwater ecosystem?

Conclusion

While exploring this sampler on River Ecosystems, I hope you've had fun, learned, and most importantly connected with some part of this topic. If you did not, please go back and explore some other links. Remember, try to think of the subjects that you are interested in for your econews contribution.
Congratulations! Now that you have completed the sampler activity, you are ready to start on the ecological newspaper publication. How would you like to contribute? Write your first choice at the bottom of your sampler answers and I can collate the class responses. Where possible you will be allocated the task of your choice but where too many students have applied, the class will vote on allocation of tasks.