Summit to the Sea: information for k-12 education
teachers

lesson plan description: 2. salt marshes

Introduction: A typical day paddling through the Altamaha River salt marsh
Experience a virtual paddling tour of the salt marsh at the far reaches of the Altamaha River watershed. As you make your way through the marsh, learn about its ecology and its vulnerability to human impacts.

I. What is a Salt Marsh?

II. Major Concepts

1. Climate
   1. Definition
   2. Temperature and rainfall
   3. Activities
2. Geology
   1. Definition
   2. Description for salt marsh
   3. Activities
3. Hydrology
   1. Definition
   2. Description for salt marsh
   3. Tidal considerations
   4. Activities
4. Geomorphology
   1. Definition
   2. Cross-section of salt marsh
   3. Succession in a salt marsh
   4. Activities
5. Ecological Habitats
   1. Aquatic Habitat
      1. Definition
      2. Variation in water height, salinity, and temperature
      3. Marsh is partly submerged
      4. Life cycles of organisms
      5. Activities
   2. Intertidal Habitat
      1. Definition
      2. Vegetated marsh, mud flats, bare creeks and channels
      3. Food web
      4. Species ranges with respect to salinity
      5. Activities
   3. Upland Habitat
      1. Definition
      2. Vegetative description
      3. Activities
   4. Beach and Dune Habitat
      1. Description (geology, functional relationship within estuary)
      2. Vegetation
      3. Niches for feeding and nesting
      4. Activities
6. Animals and Plants
   1. Natural histories and life cycles of selected species
   2. Special interest stories
   3. Lists of common and rare species
   4. Activities
7. Ecological Processes
   1. Definitions
   2. Primary production and decomposition
   3. Herbivory, Carnivory, Omnivory
   4. Recycling of organic matter and nutrients
   5. Activities
8. Socioeconomic Values of the Estuary
9. Effects of Human Impacts and Pollution
   1. Direct
   2. Indirect
10. Managements Issues - Salt Marsh
    1. Local waste disposal, effluents
    2. Ferry and associated car parking
    3. Boat Traffic
    4. Effects of introduced species on Sapelo Island
    5. Harvesting and controlled burning of timber on Sapelo Island
    6. Activities

III. Related Service-Learning Projects

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University of Georgia -  Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology