Web Quest: Louisiana Wetlands - An American Resource
Introduction
In the past century Louisiana has lost more than one million acres from its coastal
zone because of human and natural factors that have changed the fragile ecosystem.
If this loss continues, a valuable resource required for essential natural processes
will vanish.
Louisiana enjoys a heritage of family and friends, hunting and fishing, cooking
and community. These have flourished with the prosperity that comes from living
near the rich marshes, estuaries and fossil fuel stores. For the people who call
this land home, the cost of taking no action on coastal land loss is high. With
each passing year, the cost will increase.
The Task
Your task is to learn more about the fight to keep coastal Louisiana on the US map.
You will also learn about how scientists share information with the public. There
will be some technical questions: about math and science, about language, and about
people and culture. At the end of this quest your teacher may ask you create an
electronic computer generated slide show presentation so pay careful attention and
take good notes.
The Quest
The Louisiana coast has been divided into four regions defined by Coast 2050, a
strategic plan designed to create a sustainable coastal Louisiana. Using the September 2002 WaterMarks, answer the following questions
or statements.
- Which major city is located in Region 1?
- Name three causes for the deteriorating marshes and swamps in Region 1. (Page 5)
- Read aloud page 8 & 9 "A Case Study: Bayou LaBranche Wetlands Restoration"
then answer the following questions:
- What material was used to restore 436 acres of wetlands in St. Charles Parish?
- Which two hurricanes during the 1960's contributed to the land loss on the south
side of Lake Pontchartrain?
- Compare the preconstruction and post-construction picture. In your own words, describe
the change from November 1993 to November 1997.
- Do you think the project was successful? Explain why or why not.
- Using the June 2002
WaterMarks, answer the following questions or statements:
- Of the 32 projects listed on page 7, how many have a completion date listed?
- Write a mathematical formula to calculate the percentage of projects with completion
dates listed.
- Calculate what percentage of the projects have an identified completion date.
- When scientists and engineers work on coastal restoration projects, they always
want to share construction status with the public. Identify three (3) terms that
are used to describe construction status.
- You will notice that for each issue of WaterMarks there is an interview with an
important scientist, citizen, political or community leader. The Region Two Watermarks
interview (Page 12) is with Benny Roussell, Parish President of Plaquemines Parish.
Why do civic leaders need to be informed about scientific happenings in their communities?
- Using the May 2001 WaterMarks
article titled "Region 3- The Land and Its People" (Page 3), answer
the following questions or statements:
- Identify the seven Acadiana parishes in this area.
- The Atchafalya River is the largest distributary or river branch flowing away from
the main stream of the Mississippi River. Which man-made structure(s) controls the
flow of water between the Atchafalya River and the Mississippi River?
- The culture of Louisiana's people is unique and has been shaped by the interaction
of a broad range of nationalities. Name 6 of the nationalities that have blended
together for more than 200 years to create Louisiana's distinct culture.
- This magazine is filled with wonderful pictures and aerial photos. Why are pictures
important to a publication? Select one picture and explain its significance to you.
- Using the November 2000
WaterMarks article titled " A Case Study: Cameron-Creole Watershed Project"
(Page 7), answer the following questions or statements. You will need to pay particular
attention to the graphs and charts in the article.
- How many alligator nests were identified in 1989? 1999?
- Explain the change in salinity rates from 1989 to 1999.
- What is one cause of the salinity rate increase?
- Waterfowl numbers of the 1990's, when compared to 1989, increase an average of 77%.
What caused this increase?
- What two types of graphs appear within this article?
- Using the November 2000
WaterMarks article titled "Looking to the Future" (Page 10),
answer the following questions:
- Which US senator is responsible for getting legislation authorized for millions
of dollars to be spent to help with Louisiana's coastal wetland restoration activities?
- Bonus: How long was this senator in office? Note: This answer is not on this
Web site.
- After viewing two Public Service Announcements
(PSAs) from the LaCoast Web site, write a 30 second PSA.
- PSA Script:
- Name the celebrity you would use.
- Identify seven pictures you would include in your PSA.
- View the video "Land Loss Update" and
answer the following questions:
- How do you feel about losing a football field of Louisiana every 38 minutes?
- How do you think this land loss will affect life in Louisiana in the next 5 years?
In 10 years? In 20 years?
- Using the Summer 1999
WaterMarks in the article titled "Louisiana Offshore Oil and Gas Activity"
(bottom of Page 4), answer the following questions:
- What are the six factors that contribute to Louisiana's land loss problems?
- Using the Summer 1999
WaterMarks "Other Impacts from Coastal Wetland Loss" (bottom
of Page 8), answer the following question:
- Louisiana and the nation's economy has much to lose as Louisiana's coastal wetlands
are lost. What are three industries that are affiliated with Louisiana's coastal
areas?
- Using the Winter 2000
WaterMarks, name the three of the four general project groups. (Hint: Page 6)
- Questions 13 a-d Use the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration
Act Web site "Project List"
to answer the following questions or statements:
- Name two Louisiana coastal parishes you are interested in and explain why.
- Name the six Louisiana parishes that currently have the largest number of coastal
restoration projects planned or in progress in their communities.
- What does this number of projects indicate about land loss in this area of the state?
- Which project(s) is/are occurring in every coastal parish listed in the chart?
- Questions 14 a & b Use Coastwide
Nutria Control Program (PDF 1.76 MB) and Nutria, Eating Louisiana's Coast (PDF) to answer
the following questions:
- What are nutria? Why are they a problem to coastal Louisiana?
- Why do you think the Nutria Control Program is conducted across the state?
- Choose three additional Web sites from the links in the blue box below that contain
interesting information about coastal studies and the environment.