Tools of the Trade
This tool is used to magnify very small objects and organisms. We use it to look at and identify cyanobacteria.
Microscope
____________ is low in a healthy pond, meaning the water is clear with few particles throughout the water column.
Turbidity
How many great ponds are on MV?
16!
This tool is used to capture marine species in shallow waters in order to collect biodiversity data.
Seine Net
Healthy ponds do not have excess amounts of these two nutrients.
(Hint: These nutrients contribute to algal blooms)
Nitrogen and Phosphorus
What are the two largest Great Ponds on MV?
Edgartown Great Pond and Tisbury Great Pond
This tool is used to collect water samples below the surface.
Van Dorn Sampler
Healthy ponds have high _____________, meaning many different species inhabit the ecosystem.
Biodiversity
This beach separates Edgartown Great Pond from the ocean.
South Beach
This tool is used to measure turbidity.
Secchi Disk
People can reduce or eliminate the use of ___________ on their lawns to help pond health by reducing excess nitrogen.
Fertilizers
This furry aquatic mammal inhabits the great pond's ecosystems.
Otters
This tool is used to measure many water quality parameters. It is lowered through the water column and collects DO, pH, temperature and salinity.
Handheld Water Quality Meter (YSI)
____________ is an underwater plant species that is extremely important to ponds ecosystems. This plant serves as habitat for larval fish, produces oxygen, sequesters carbon, improves water quality, stabilizes shorelines, and is an indicator of the overall health of an estuary.
Eelgrass
Chilmark Pond, Tisbury Great Pond, and Edgartown Great Pond all contain ____________ water which is a mix of salt and fresh water.
Brackish