Habitat Mapping

http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/duk_/lessons/duk_marine_musc_less/duk_marine_musc_less.xmllessontext/xmlHabitat MappingEngineering K-Ph.D. Program, HabitatBathymetrySoundingsRemote SensingSonarGISMapRemote SensingHabitatSpatial LocationLatitudeLongitudeSide Scan SonarSonarSoundingsBathymetrySatellites

The marine environment is unique and requires technologies that can use sound to gather information since there is little light underwater. The seafloor is characterized using underwater sound and acoustical systems. Current technological innovations are allowing scientists to further understand and apply information about animal locations and habitat. Remote sensing and exploration with underwater vehicles allows scientists to map and understand the sea floor, and in some cases, the water column. In this lesson, the students will be shown benthic habitat images produced by GIS. These imaged will lead to a class discussion on why habitat mapping is useful and how current technology works to make bathymetry mapping possible. The teacher will then ask inquiry-based questions to have students brainstorm about the importance of bathymetry mapping.

Students will learn how remote sensing and underwater vehicles designed and built by engineers are improving the ability of scientists to map marine habitats. Students will be able to explain current technologies employed in mapping resources.Students will be able to draw conclusions from a set of collected data. 7TeachEngineering.orgKimberly Goetz (Primary Contributor), Duke University Marine LabJonelle Stovall (Secondary Contributor), Pratt School of Engineering, Duke UniversityMelissa Sanderson (Secondary Contributor), Duke University Marine LabHeather Kerkering (Secondary Contributor), Duke University Marine Labhttp://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/bathymetry/predicted/explore.HTML#sat_alt http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/sfmapping/swath.htmS1028421North_CarolinaScience1.06 Use mathematics to gather, organize, and present quantitative data resulting from scientific investigations: • Measurement.66S1028429North_CarolinaScience1.09 Use technologies and information systems to: • Research.66S1028431North_CarolinaScience2.01 Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions. • Artifact or hardward66S10284BDNorth_CarolinaScience1.06 Use mathematics to gather, organize, and present quantitative data resulting from scientific investigations: • Measurement.77S10284C5North_CarolinaScience1.09 Use technologies and information systems to: • Research.77S10284CCNorth_CarolinaScience2.01 Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions. • Artifact or hardware.77S102853FNorth_CarolinaScience1.06 Use mathematics to gather, organize, and present quantitative data resulting from scientific investigations: • Measurement.88S1028549North_CarolinaScience1.09 Use technologies and informations systems to: • Research.88S1028550North_CarolinaScience2.01 Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions. • Artifact or hardward.88S1028563North_CarolinaScience3.02 Explain the structure of the hydrosphere including: • Water distribution on earth.88S1028573North_CarolinaScience3.06 Evaluate technologies and information systems used to monitor the hydrosphere.88S1028578North_CarolinaScience3.08 Recognize that the good health of environments and organisms requires: • Monitoring of the hydrosphere.88S10285B4North_CarolinaScience5.05 Use maps, ground truthing and remote sensing to make predictions regarding: • Changes over time.88United StatesCopyright 2012 - Engineering K-Ph.D. Program, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke Universityhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2009-01-207Teacher