Arcade creek project
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The Mira Loma Arcade Creek Project is a highly-recognized ongoing study of the riparian corridor of an urban watershed in Sacramento, California. It consists of eleven studies which measure the health of the Arcade Creek and is run entirely by students of Mira Loma High School and five faculty advisers. [1]
The project was initiated in 2000 as part of the schools IB program. In 2004 the project was recognised by Governor Schwarzenegger when it was awarded the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, the states most prestigious environemetal honour.[2][3]
The project was also awarded a $10,000 environmental excellence award from Sea World in 2010.[4]
[edit] List of Studies
Bio Assay
Bio Assay tests the health of the creek's water with indicator species, particularly Ceriodaphnia dubia or water flea. This species is highly sensitive to toxins and other changes in the creek's water. They are placed in creek water and then monitored for significant population changes.[5]
Biological Assessment
Bio Assessment monitors populations of macroinvertebrates in the creek bed. Large populations of species in the insect orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera. indicate good health of the creek.
Botany
The Botany Study monitors the populations of plant life in the riparian corridor of the creek. They determine if invasive plant species are present at the creek and disrputing its health.
Chemistry
The Chemistry Study monitors the chemical content of the creek water. Measurements of dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and various metallic ions are taken. This data can then be used to determine if the water is chemically appropriate for most life at the creek.
Habitat
The Habitat Study measures various physical features of the creek to provide a general description of its health. The group measures water depth, vegetation density, and average tree diameters.
Long Mapping
The Long Mapping Study maps the general shape and flow of the creek. They measure creek banks and soil build-up or erosion. The Long Mapping group provides a geographical reference for other studies to pinpoint locations at the creek.
Outreach
The Outreach group presents the tasks, results, and accomplishments of the Arcade Creek Project to various people, including schoolchildren, politicians, and environmentalists.
Restoration
The Restoration group uses data collected by the other studies to find areas of poor health of the creek. They then find the site and attempt to restore the health of the creek by removing garbage, toxins, and invasive species.
Sediment
The Sediment Study monitors the composition of the benthic layer of the creek bed. The presence of an excess of rocks, clay, or silt indicates that the creek's soil is inappropriate for most life at the creek.
Technology
The Technology team is the study responsible for compiling creek data and publicizing the Arcade Creek Project through informational videos and the arcade creek website.
Vertebrates
The Vertebrate Study monitors the populations of vertebrate species at the creek and then track the changes in population to determine the health of the creek.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ "Arcade Creek Project Webpage". 2010. http://www.arcadecreekproject.org/. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
- ^ "Schwarzenegger.com - News". 2004. http://www.schwarzenegger.com/news.asp?id=1822/. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
- ^ "Mira Loma High School Awards". 2004. http://www.miralomahigh.org/awards.htm#66005740/. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
- ^ "Sacramento Bee - Mira Loma High wins recognition, $10,000 for Arcade Creek project". 2010. http://www.sacbee.com/2010/04/02/2650759/mira-loma-high-wins-recognition.html. Retrieved 2010-04-03.
- ^ "Urban Creeks Council of Sacramento". 2009. http://www.sacto-ucc.org/ucc-mlhs-arcade-creek.htm. Retrieved 2010-04-03.[dead link]
