Water plays a vital role in our everyday lives, and the lives of all living things.
The natural water cycle is a continuous loop of changing states of matter powered by the sun.
What is a watershed
Gravity and topography are key to the interaction between the natural water cycle and the natural watershed.
Riparian buffers and wetlands act as natural land areas and protective boundaries between land and water that can capture, store, and filter pollutants and control erosion.
Provide natural habitats
Abundance and diversity contribute to ecological health over time
Teacher Support
PA STEELS
3.4 Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
Environment and Society 3.4.6-8.B Analyze and interpret data about how different societies (economic and social systems) and cultures use and manage natural resources differently. (LE 1, 2, 3)
Watershed and Wetlands 3.4.6-8.C Develop a model to describe how watersheds and wetlands function as systems, including the roles and functions they serve. (LE 4)
Environmental Experiences 3.4.6-8.E Collect, analyze, and interpret environmental data to describe a local environment. (LE 5)