Do Riparian Buffers Improve Stream Temperatures?
Through manipulation and analysis of large datasets students will learn about the temperature regime of streams and rivers and will focus on two of the factors that affect stream temperatures, latitude and solar radiation. Students will be exposed to the concept of scale by examining data collected at two distinct spatial and temporal scales. Finally, students will use data they have analyzed to answer a significant question in watershed management: How effective are riparian buffer zones at improving stream temperature?
Instructor Resources
Student Resources
What Factors Affect Stream Temperature?
In this inquiry-based lab exercise, students will learn about and then employ a heat budget equation to predict changes in stream temperatures under different scenarios. They will develop their own hypotheses regarding the influence of various environmental factors on the heat budget and then use a computer simulation model (SSTEMP) to test their hypotheses.