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Freshwater – Vol. 18 No. 1
In the Natural Inquirer Freshwater edition, you will learn many new things about Earth’s freshwater. As you read each article, think about your daily water use. You use clean freshwater for drinking, bathing, and cooking. Did you know that up to 60 percent of your body weight is water? Water not only keeps you healthy, but it also keeps the planet healthy!
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Highlights
- 7 Articles
- 11 Activities
- 22 Scientists
- Glossary
- Freshwater LIVE Connections
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With two-thirds of the U.S. population drinking water from surface sources such as streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, it is very important that these water sources are protected. Part of...Green Means Clean! Assessing the Condition of U.S. Drinking Water Watersheds
With two-thirds of the U.S. population drinking water from surface sources such as streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, it is very important that these water sources are protected. Part of...Part Of
Freshwater - Vol. 18 No. 1
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Nonpoint source water pollution comes from large areas or landscapes such as roadways, farms, and urban and suburban communities. Scientists know this type of pollution exists, but it is difficult...What’s the Nonpoint? Assessing Nonpoint Source Water Quality Threats Nationwide
Nonpoint source water pollution comes from large areas or landscapes such as roadways, farms, and urban and suburban communities. Scientists know this type of pollution exists, but it is difficult...Part Of
Freshwater - Vol. 18 No. 1
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Particulate organic matter (POM), which consists of small pieces of twigs, leaves, soil, and other items found in the water, is an important component of an ecosystem and the food...Caribbean Cruise: Examining the Movement and Quality of Organic Matter Over Time From Two Caribbean Watersheds
Particulate organic matter (POM), which consists of small pieces of twigs, leaves, soil, and other items found in the water, is an important component of an ecosystem and the food...Part Of
Freshwater - Vol. 18 No. 1
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Chemicals from auto emissions, industrial processes, and urban development are found in most urban areas. Two of the chemicals found most abundantly in urban areas are calcium and lead. The...Sediment-al Journey: Measuring Metal Concentrations in Soil Beside Urban Waterways
Chemicals from auto emissions, industrial processes, and urban development are found in most urban areas. Two of the chemicals found most abundantly in urban areas are calcium and lead. The...Part Of
Freshwater - Vol. 18 No. 1
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Mussels are very sensitive to changes in the environment which makes them good indicators of the health of an aquatic ecosystem. Mussel shells, like growth rings from a tree, can...Mussel Mania: How Streamflow Affects Freshwater Mussels Over Long Time Periods
Mussels are very sensitive to changes in the environment which makes them good indicators of the health of an aquatic ecosystem. Mussel shells, like growth rings from a tree, can...Part Of
Freshwater - Vol. 18 No. 1
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Water temperature helps regulate aquatic ecosystems, and, for many aquatic organisms, life-cycle phases are tied to water temperature. Salmon eggs, for example, generally require a certain number of degree days...Timed Travel: Measuring the Relationship Between Stream Temperatures and the Development of Salmon
Water temperature helps regulate aquatic ecosystems, and, for many aquatic organisms, life-cycle phases are tied to water temperature. Salmon eggs, for example, generally require a certain number of degree days...Part Of
Freshwater - Vol. 18 No. 1
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When snow melts or rain falls, some of the water runs off into streams or rivers. Most of the water, however, goes down into the soil. The water that stays...Under Where? Underground Water and Its Contribution to Streams
When snow melts or rain falls, some of the water runs off into streams or rivers. Most of the water, however, goes down into the soil. The water that stays...Part Of
Freshwater - Vol. 18 No. 1
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After reading the Freshwater edition of Natural Inquirer, test your knowledge of the issue with this eyeChallenge. Explain what each of the images from the journal represents. Students may write...eyeChallenge – Freshwater
After reading the Freshwater edition of Natural Inquirer, test your knowledge of the issue with this eyeChallenge. Explain what each of the images from the journal represents. Students may write...Part Of
Freshwater - Vol. 18 No. 1
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Test your knowledge on contamination, floodplains, and watersheds.Crossword – Freshwater
Test your knowledge on contamination, floodplains, and watersheds.Part Of
Freshwater - Vol. 18 No. 1
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The questions you will answer in this FACTivity are: Which land cover surface best protects water quality and why? Materials: 3 paint roller pans 1 shovel 3/4 cup liquid kitchen...FACTivity – Green Means Clean
The questions you will answer in this FACTivity are: Which land cover surface best protects water quality and why? Materials: 3 paint roller pans 1 shovel 3/4 cup liquid kitchen... -
The questions you will answer in this FACTivity are: How do standardized units of measurement help scientists to answer questions? What are the advantages of using percentiles to standardize measurements?...FACTivity – What’s the Nonpoint?
The questions you will answer in this FACTivity are: How do standardized units of measurement help scientists to answer questions? What are the advantages of using percentiles to standardize measurements?... -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: What can you learn from data about gage height and streamflow for a stream for an extended period of time? You...FACTivity – Caribbean Cruise
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: What can you learn from data about gage height and streamflow for a stream for an extended period of time? You... -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: What is the relationship between the level of chemicals in a city’s soils and level of the same chemicals in the...FACTivity – Sediment-al Journey
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: What is the relationship between the level of chemicals in a city’s soils and level of the same chemicals in the... -
In this FACTivity, you will be the scientist and analyze real-time streamflow data from the three rivers that the scientists in this study studied. The question you will answer in...FACTivity – Mussel Mania
In this FACTivity, you will be the scientist and analyze real-time streamflow data from the three rivers that the scientists in this study studied. The question you will answer in... -
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How do air temperature patterns relate to a yearly natural event, such as the emergence of a particular species of flower,...FACTivity – Timed Travel
The question you will answer in this FACTivity is: How do air temperature patterns relate to a yearly natural event, such as the emergence of a particular species of flower,... -
In this FACTivity, you will use the knowledge you have gained from the reading “Under Where?” and other articles in this journal, as well as other sources of information about...FACTivity – Under Where?
In this FACTivity, you will use the knowledge you have gained from the reading “Under Where?” and other articles in this journal, as well as other sources of information about... -
The purpose of this FACTivity is to demonstrate how house plants use water and compare this process with an outdoor plant’s use of soil water. Materials: Potted house plant with...Alternate FACTivity – Under Where?
The purpose of this FACTivity is to demonstrate how house plants use water and compare this process with an outdoor plant’s use of soil water. Materials: Potted house plant with...
Glossary
View All Glossaryamendment
(ə men(d) mənt): A change in wording or meaning especially in a law, bill, or motion.
analysis
(ǝ na lǝ sǝs): An examination of a whole to discover its elements and their relations.
biodiversity
(bī ō dǝ vǝr sǝ tē ): Biological variety in an environment as indicated by numbers of different species of plants and animals.
bryophyte
(brī ə fīt): Any of a division (Bryophyta) of nonflowering plants comprising the mosses, liverworts, and hornworts.
coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM)
(kȯrs pär ti kyə lət ȯr ga nik ma tər): Organic material that falls into or is carried into a river. CPOM is generally greater than 1 millimeter (mm) in size. Examples of CPOM are leaves, sticks, and other pieces of plant material.
conservation
(kän(t) sər vā shən): A careful preservation and protection of something, especially planned management of a natural resource to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect.
contamination
(kən ta mə nā shən): The act or process of making something impure or unfit for use by adding something harmful or unpleasant.
database
(dā tə bās): A usually large collection of data organized especially for rapid search and retrieval (as by a computer).
decay
(di kā): To break down, rot, or undergo decomposition.
decomposition
(dē käm pə zi shən): The act or process of breaking up, such as by decaying or rotting.
degrade
(di grād): To make the quality of something worse.
dominate
(dä mə nāt): To have a commanding position or controlling power over.
drainage
(drā nij): (1) The act or process of draining something; (2) an area or district drained.
ecosystem
(ē kō sis tǝm): A system made up of an ecological community of living things interacting with their environment especially under natural conditions.
efficient
(i fi shǝnt): Capable of producing desired results with little or no waste (as of time or materials).
effluent
(ə flü ənt): Liquid (such as sewage or industrial by-products) discharged as waste.
export
(ek spȯrt): To carry away.
fauna
(fȯ nə): Animal life, especially the animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment.
floodplain
(fləd plān): Flat land area next to a stream or river.
frequency
(frē kwən(t) sē): (1) How often something happens; (2) the number of repetitions of a periodic process in a unit of time.
gradient
(grā dē ənt): (1) Slope; upward or downward slant or inclination or degree of slant; (2) a continuous graded change in measure, activity, or substance.
groundwater
(grau̇nd wȯ tǝr): Water within the earth, especially that which supplies wells and springs.
hydrologic
(hī drä lə jik): Relating to the properties, distribution, and circulation of water on and below Earth’s surface and in the atmosphere.
indirect
(in də rekt): (1) Not straight or direct; (2) not having a plainly seen connection.
median
(mē dē ən): A value in a series arranged from smallest to largest below and above which there are an equal number of values or which is the average of the two middle values if there is no one middle value.
obscure
(äb skyu̇r): Not clearly seen or easily distinguished.
organic
(ȯr ga nik): Of, relating to, or obtained from living things.
pesticide
(pes tə sīd): A substance that is used to kill animals or insects that are harmful to humans or human activities (like agriculture).
regulate
(re gyə lāt): (1) To control according to a system; (2) To bring under control of law or some authority.
runoff
(rən ȯf): Water from rain or snow that flows over the surface of the ground and finally into streams.
statistical
(stə ti sti kəl): Of, relating to, based on, or employing the principles of statistics.
sustain
(sǝ stān): (1) To give support or relief to; (2) to keep up.
trend
(trend): The general movement over time of a statistically detectable change.
tributary
(tri byə ter ē): A stream that flows into a larger stream or river or into a lake.
turbidity
(tər bə də tē): A measure of the cloudiness or muddiness of a water body.
velocity
(və lä sə tē): Speed of movement.
wastewater
(wāst wä tər): (1) Water that has been used; (2) sewage.
watershed
(wȯ tǝr shed): A region or area bounded on the edge by a dividing ridge and draining ultimately to a particular watercourse or body of water.
Classroom Review Board
Ms. Henry’s 7th Grade Life Science Classes
- Bemidji Middle School
- Bemidji, MN
Editorial Review Board Comments
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Daniel Bain
Hydrologist
My favorite science experiences generally involve one of three things: (1) finding a clear pattern from data I have collected, (2) working in an urban stream or soil pit and...View Profile -
Roger Bales
Engineer | Environmental Scientist
In my research, I switch between science and engineering. I get excited when our detailed, difficult measurements of the water cycle are successful and provide insight to predict how the...View Profile -
Brian Beckman
Fisheries biologist
I enjoy mentoring young scientists, helping them to develop useful and interesting questions and to form thorough and accurate answers. The curiosity and enthusiasm of these bright young people are...View Profile -
Thomas Brown
Economist/Resource Economist
My favorite science experience happened before I was a scientist. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Paraguay, in the heart of South America. I had grown up in...View Profile -
Keith Denton
Fisheries biologist
My favorite science experience was capturing 40-pound Chinook salmon in the newly restored Elwha River. The Elwha River is in Olympic National Park in Washington State. I was measuring the...View Profile -
Pamela Froemke
Computer Specialist
Being constantly exposed to the great outdoors when I was young led me to love and appreciate the natural world. I always felt the best when I was outside. So,...View Profile -
Aimee Fullerton
Fisheries biologist
It is tough to choose my favorite science experience. I’d have to say that it was watching nonnative fish use different habitats in the dark in a lab experiment. We...View Profile -
Wendell Haag
Fisheries biologist
When I was a kid, I loved to roam the fields, woods, creeks, and even my backyard, catching salamanders and crayfish and looking at plants and birds. In high school,...View Profile -
Tamara Heartsill Scalley
Ecologist
One of my favorite experiences was sampling for aquatic fauna in the headwater streams at the highest elevations of the Luquillo Experimental Forest. The Elfin Cloud Forests have many small...View Profile -
Carolyn Hunsaker
Ecologist
My favorite science experience was identifying a major gap in knowledge and designing and implementing a large-scale experiment with a diverse team of people. Our team believes this experiment’s findings...View Profile -
Donald Larsen
Fisheries biologist
My favorite science experience was rowing a raft down the Yakima River in Washington State. I was collecting data on spring Chinook salmon on a beautiful fall day and thinking,...View Profile -
Fengjing Liu
Hydrologist
My favorite science experience is doing research to understand how water and contaminants move and how they are linked within a watershed.View Profile -
Ariel Lugo
Tropical Ecologist
“My favorite science experience is trying to understand the functioning of natural ecosystems in collaboration with bright people, including high school students.” “[Another] favorite science experience is interacting with other...View Profile -
Samuel Moya
Biologist
My favorite science experience is installing new scientific equipment and sensors on experimental sites. New sensors allow me to see more accurate results using graphics and statistical methods.View Profile -
Richard Pouyat
Urban Ecologist
For me, science is most exciting when I have made a new discovery! If you practice science long enough, you too will make a discovery. One of my first scientific...View Profile -
Kurt Riitters
Ecologist
“My favorite science experience is asking and answering questions that have not been asked before.” “[Another] favorite science experience was the discovery of a new computer method to measure forest...View Profile -
Andrew Rypel
Aquatic Ecologist
My favorite science experience is finding something totally unexpected that other people can’t believe, but also can’t argue with, because the data are so clear!View Profile -
E. Ashley Steel
Quantitative Ecologist | Statistician
“I have so many favorite science experiences! One cool science experience was when I was standing right in the middle of the Snoqualmie River. I was thinking about how my...View Profile -
Abby Tillotson
Fisheries biologist
My favorite science experience so far has been participating in salmon surveys on the Yakima River near Cle Elum, Washington. We spent a few days floating the river on rafts,...View Profile -
Timothy Wade
Geographer
My favorite science experience is using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to uncover environmental patterns that were not previously known.View Profile -
James Wickham
Biologist
My favorite science experience is studying Earth’s environment from space.View Profile -
Ian Yesilonis
Soil Scientist
Did you know more living individual organisms are in a tablespoon of soil than people are on Earth? Usually people don’t know a lot about soil, and without it, our...View Profile
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.
What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.
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Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
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What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
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Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
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Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
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Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
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Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
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Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
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Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
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Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
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Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
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FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
We Welcome Feedback
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Director, Natural Inquirer program -
Email
Lessons
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In this lesson, students will create a storyboard to graphically represent the main points from the research article they read. This can be used with any Natural Inquirer article.Lesson Plan – Storyboard (Freshwater)
In this lesson, students will create a storyboard to graphically represent the main points from the research article they read. This can be used with any Natural Inquirer article.Part Of
Freshwater - Vol. 18 No. 1
Additional Resources
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FreshWaterLIVE
The "FreshWaterLIVE: A Distance Learning Adventure" brings the mysteries of freshwater to classrooms grades 4 to 8 through FREE webcasts, webinars, and online resources about the origins, travels, and perils of water from green forests and grasslands to household faucets.View Resource -
Water Cycle Processes Poster
Check out this poster about water cycle processes from USGS.Visit Resource -
USDA Forest Service: Conservation Education
Through Conservation Education, the Forest Service provides a variety of educational resources and programs for individuals of all ages to learn about the environment and our nation’s forests and grasslands. Through these hands-on, interactive learning opportunities, students, educators, and parents can explore how to become a responsible steward of our natural resources. There are also a variety of resources for teachers and parents to engage youth in environmental education and for exploring careers in conservation.Visit Website -
FIND Outdoors
Our story is rooted in education about the forest. Our passion is to help people become inspired. Our goal is to help people connect with nature. Our drive is to help people learn through discovery. Through forest-inspired nature discovery, we help people FIND Outdoors.Visit Website