Elkhorn Slough
Explore the Elkhorn Slough Reserve Name_____________________ Date______________________3746562865000Trail Map:Visitor CenterOverlookBarnBridgeWhistle Stop-5358130335280Important InfoCheck in at front desk with Reserve staffBathrooms available at Visitor CenterNo food on the trails (water only please!)00Important InfoCheck in at front desk with Reserve staffBathrooms available at Visitor CenterNo food on the trails (water only please!)Human Impact Walk (Overlook to Boardwalk)Make a list of natural and human influences you see or learn about while on the Reserve. Use the Appendix on the back of this sheet to note evidence of the impacts you listed above.2. Summarize evidence next to 3 of your listed items above.Appendix D. Major Human Impacts to Estuarine Habitats in Elkhorn SloughYear(s)Selected Major Human Modifications1860s and 1870sBeginning of railroad and road construction through the Slough (levees and bridges built in marshlands)Land clearing for dairy, wetland conversion to pasture1900sSignificant wetland diking/draining for agriculture causing estuarine habitat loss and subsidenceDams and levees built for waterfowl hunting causing habitat conversion1909Salinas River diverted likely reducing significant sediment and freshwater inputs into Elkhorn Slough1930sGroundwater overdraft/saltwater intrusion first documented in the region reducing freshwater inputs into Elkhorn SloughDams, culverts, tide gates constructed causing habitat loss and fragmentation1940s Agricultural changes decreasing groundwater inputs to estuarine habitats1947Moss Landing Harbor constructed creating a much deeper and permanently open tidal connection between Elkhorn Slough and Monterey Bay in a different location contributing to estuarine habitat loss and degradation1980s Conservation efforts to change land use practices decreasing polluted runoff to estuarine habitats1981-1983Levee breaches from wetland restoration efforts (South Marsh), winter storms (Parsons Slough), and habitat erosion (ongoing) accelerating marsh loss and estuarine habitat degradation88900-89369002183573696832003. Besides opening the mouth in 1946, what other notable change occurred in the late 1800’s to cause this loss of wetlands?4. Can you find Hummingbird Island in both pictures?367692618547500-27122818547500Share your thoughts about what you are seeing in the photos as well as you walk the trail to the island:Water Quality Tide Data Collection (Bridge)Is this a flood tide (water coming in) or an ebb tide (water going out) or a slack tide (the pause between the two)? How do you know? (use complete sentences!)What is the current tide height based on the tide stick on the Bridge?Check the tide on your phone and compare the two, are they close? What may be causing any differences?36830047244000Here are the tide heights on 11/12-11/1. Label the lowest low tide and the highest high tide on the graph for November 13th.Here are the tides for Elkhorn Slough for Nov. 6-Nov 7. Label the lowest low tide and the highest high tide on the graph for Nov 6, (hint:Full Moon on 6th)36766511049000How are the lowest and highest tides different on the two dates? What is causing the differences you see? (hint: look at the scale) What other data would you want to collect to help you understand the health of the Elkhorn Slough?Why do scientists collect this data? What are some potential uses for it? (If you can’t figure it out, ask)Look at the areas surrounding this site. What factors may influence water quality here?Take a moment to consider the various human activities in this watershed and their impacts on the various habitats including the water quality in the Slough, what might be 3 actions that could be taken to restore and or protect this area?Follow-up:Check out the Tidal Wetland Project at the Reserve and watch this video to learn what we are doing, and Questions:Trip DebriefIn your opinion, what was the most important thing you learned today and why?What was your favorite part of today and why?Please rate the following Strongly AgreeStrongly DisagreeI felt like I was learning today54321What we learned relates to what we learned in class54321I enjoyed this trip and would recommend doing it again next year54321 Additional Comments: ................
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