Sturgeons: Still Threatened? A WebQuest for 6-8th Grade (Science)
Designed by Loris Chen (lchen@wyckoffschools.org)

Introduction
Task
Process
Evaluation
Conclusion
Credits

Introduction

You are part of a team of specialists whose mission is to determine if habitat management strategies are working. Your team has been invited to make a presentation at an international conference where other teams will be competing for project funding.  Will your presentation earn your project funding? 

The Task

Anadromous fish are adapted to life in both saltwater and freshwater habitats.  Acipenser spp., commonly known as sturgeons, were once common fish in East Coast United States estuaries and coastal rivers.  Many are considered to be threatened or endangered.  For example, the short-nosed sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum, is listed on the 1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.  Have habitat protection projects improved the outlook for this species?

Your task is to:

1. find out what caused the decline of anadromous fish such as the short-nosed sturgeon
2. investigate methods for reversing the population trend
3. present a proposal that will increase and sustain sturgeon populations so that they o not become endangered, or extinct

Your presentation must include graphics and visual organizers.  Presentations may be in the form of PowerPoint or overhead projector transparencies.
   

The Process

 Your team will:

1. research the biology of anadromous fish such as the short-nosed sturgeon
2. research the geographic distribution of the short-nosed sturgeon
3. research the ecosystem importance of anadromous fish
4. research sustainable habitat mitigation projects such as dam removal
5. develop a plan to study the effect of a habitat mitigation project on short-nosed sturgeons
6. create a presentation to secure funding for your study

Divide the tasks 1 though 4 among your group members so that each person has one research task.   Work together to complete tasks 5 and 6.

Task 1. The Biology of Anadromous Fish

The Question:  Why are anadromous fish so sensitive to habitat changes?

Explore the biology of anadromous fish at NOAA.

Task 2. Geographic Distribution of Acipenser brevirostrum

The Question:  Where are short-nosed sturgeons found?

Create a map showing the geographic distribution of these two species by entering the species name at the OBIS Portal.  At the portal, enter the scientific name of the short-nosed sturgeon.  Select "all databases."  When the database search is complete, select "map geographic location."  Once the map appears, you may change its orientation by using the menu below the map.

To find the names of the location where these species have been collected, use the scientific name search at Fishbase.  How does geography explain the occurrence of the species?    What geography related factors have influenced the population of the short-nosed sturgeon? Look for clues at NOAA.
 

Task 3. Why Care

The Question:  Why should humans care about preserving sturgeons?

To learn more about the importance of anadromous fish, go to NOAA..  

Task 4. Sustainable Habitat Management

The Question:  What are some possible sustainable habitat management strategies?

Learn more about plans to preserve habitat at NOAA.  To find out more about dams and their effects on anadromous fish use the NOAA site and American Rivers site.

Learn more about the Edwards Dam removal project.

Task 5. The Plan

Since you are a team of research scientists, your plan will need the following parts:

1. Research question- State the question that your research project will answer.
2. Background information- Provide information that someone would need to know in order to understand your plan.  Be sure to cite sources of information.  This is the place to put information about sturgeon biology, geographic distribution, ecological importance of sturgeons, and sustainable habitat management methods. 
3. Hypothesis- A statement that describes the expected outcome of your project
4. Materials-  What you will need to conduct your research or implement your project and why these are essential
5. Procedure- List the steps you would take to conduct your research
6. Why your team thinks the plan will work- Link this to short-nosed sturgeon survival and sustainability of the short-nosed sturgeon populations.  Show a cause and effect relationship.

Task 6. The Presentation

Now it's time to sell your plan.  There's only so much money to go around.  Will your presentation convince the foundation to fund your plan?  Your presentation should include all the elements of your team's plan. Use visual aids. These might include maps, pictures, charts, tables, and/or an outline of key points. The presentation may be done use a computer-based presentation program or overhead transparencies. 

Each person should be responsible for presenting at least one part of the plan.

Evaluation

Your score for this project will be 40% based on your individual research notes and 60% based on the group's plan and presentation.

Conclusion

Conservation of a species is complicated by human needs and wants for products that use those species.  Sustainability is the concept that current needs may be met without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.  What human needs or wants are met by the preserving the short-nosed sturgeon?  What where some of the economic considerations that you needed to understand?  What where some of the cultural considerations that you needed to understand?  What actions can you personally take to save the short-nosed sturgeon?  What actions could your class take to save the short-nosed sturgeon?
 
 Although the effect of dams on ecosystems has been studied in the United States and alternatives to dams are recommended, a new dam project in China caused some concern among environmentalists.  Find out why.

Credits & References

 Short-nosed sturgeon from www.fishbase.org

Based on a template from The WebQuest Page