Sapphire Group: Estuary Health check

Sapphire Group

Title: I am learning to understand the main ideas

I am learning to link prior knowledge and experiences to the texts I read

1. What is Amy and Hazel’s job?

Amy & Hazel are volunteers at the Pauatahanui Inlet. The count the cockles at the Tidal Estuary.

2. Why do they count the cockles?

They count the cockles because cockle counting is a good way to measure the estuary’ health.

3. What are the indicators of a healthy / unhealthy estuary?

If there cockles have decreased from the previous numbers then the estuary is more likely to be unhealthy, if there are a lot of cockles then the estuary is more likely to be healthy.

4. How are the teams organized?

There are 31 stations. Each team will be responsible for one station, where they will take 12 samples.

5. Describe the process for counting the cockles

1. Put the metal square on the sand next to your marker.

2. Dig down 7 centimeters and remove all the sand and shells inside the square (Cockles don’t live deeper  than this.

3. Put everything you find in a sieve and wash away the sand, leaving just the shells.

4. Sort the live cockles from the empty shells, pip, limpets, and crabs.

5. Count and measure the live cockles. Make sure you don’t miss the very small ones.

6. Mark the results n a tally sheet.

7. Put the cockles back.

6. What is an estuary?

An Estuary is an enclosed body of water where fresh water from streams mixes with the salt water from the sea.

7. Why are estuaries important?

Estuaries are important because they provide shelter and food.

8. Why are cockles important?

Cockles are important because they are like filters but for the sea. They help clean the bad waters.

9. Why has there been a decrease in the number of cockles?

Well in 1976 there would be lots of bush and trees but in 1922 they cut down the trees to build houses and the estuary has become more polluted which makes it hard for the cockles to survive.

10. How do people living in the area affect the cockles population?

Well the roads next to the estuary leave gas, petrol, paint and much more which eventually ends up in the estuary making it hard for the cockles to survive.

11. What sorts of things get poured down a storm water drain?

Oils, Petrol , Gas, Paint and much more get poured down the storm water drain.

12. Where does the data go?

All the Data end up in the Estuary.

13. Why is the decrease of cockles a concern?

Because the water will become more dirtier  than it already is and no more animals would live in the estuary.

14. What are the rules for contractors?

Contractors must ensure that their soil  does not end up in the Estuary.