Ecosystem Modeling with the Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Summary
Join Philippe Cousteau, Jr. as he visits NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Mukilteo Research Station to dive deeper into ocean acidification's affects on both local and global ecosystems. Led by scientist Paul McElhany, visit the lab, learn about ongoing research projects, and explore how our ocean's changing pH will affect a multitude of species and ecosystems. Classrooms will get a look at how scientists conduct experiments to see how animals do when grown in water with different pH and use models to make predictions about the future of our Water Planet.
This hangout is best suited for middle and high school classrooms and will last approximately 45 minutes.
Panelists
Paul McElhany, Ph.D.
Dr. Paul McElhany has been research ecologist with the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center since 1999. He currently leads the NWFSC ocean acidification research team. The research team uses laboratory species-exposure experiments, food web ecosystem modeling, and field work to understand the impact of ocean acidification along the Washington-Oregon coast. Dr. McElhany received his Ph.D. from Indiana University in 1997 followed by a post doc at the University of Oregon. Previously at NOAA, he focused on estimating extinction risk and developing recovery strategies for threatened salmon populations. He continues to have an interest in risk evaluation and recently participated in a review of several tropical coral species, particularly considering risks from ocean acidification.
More about Paul and his fellow research scientists.
Location: Mukilteo Research Station
Research at the Mukilteo Research Station focuses on understanding the life cycle of marine species and the impacts of ecosystem stressors on anadromous and marine fish and invertebrates. In this salt-water facility, scientists rear marine and anadromous fish for a range of studies, conduct studies on the effects of impaired water quality and habitats on the health and survival of fish, serve as a base for field studies of Pacific salmon, and hold outreach events for students and public groups on NMFS research in the region.
Learn more about the research at Mukileto.
Classroom Resources
Ocean Acidification Experiments from Science Scope
These activities are designed to explore ocean acidifcation in the middle school classroom. As oceans absorb atmospheric CO2, they undergo a series of reactions that cause a reduction in normally stable ocean pH.
You Have the Power
Want to help curb the use of fossil fuels and the process of ocean acidification? Saving energy is an answer. This Action Guide will walk you through the process of conducting an energy audit and then creating, implementing, and documenting an energy conservation plan. Get started right away, because when it comes to saving energy at school or at home, you have the power!
Classroom resources are available from EarthEcho International and many of our partners from EarthEcho Expedition: Ocean Apocalypse. Below there are links to resources, including lesson plans and action guides, to expand upon these concepts in your own classroom. Accessing EarthEcho resources requires a free account from earthecho.org, you will be prompted to register before downloading the materials.
Beyond the Dead Zone, Part 2, Video Worksheet
Ocean Acidification Experiments from Science Scope
Ocean Acidification Curriculum from the Squamish Tribe
Ocean Acidification Interactives from NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program
Ocean Acidification Fact Sheet from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
You Have the Power Action Guide
Beyond the Dead Zone, Part 2 from EarthEcho International
Science Standards
Next Generation Science Standards:
MS-LS2-4: Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
MS-LS2-5: Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
MS-ESS3-3: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
HS-LS2-7: Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
HS-ESS2-6: Develop a quantitative model to describe the cycling of carbon among the hydrosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.