Main idea

Living conditions in rivers change according to flow velocity, type of sediment, availability of oxygen, light, etc. Living conditions are reflected in the structure of plant and animal communities, as well as in the form of the bodies of water organisms, which are adapted to these living conditions.

Goal

To explain to the students what the most important changes are in the living conditions in rivers, and consequently, what the adaptations of living creatures to these conditions are.

Concepts

living conditions (upper, middle, lower section of a river); communities of water animals and water plants  macroinvertebrates;

Introduction: What Lives in a River?

Together with students, try to find out what kind of living organisms live in and along a river.

Activities in this lesson

Speed of a river game
3.1-1
Subject: Biology, Geography, Language, Physics, Social skills
Age group: All, 4 - 6, 7 - 9, 10 - 12, 13 and up
Type of activity: Fun activitiy
Number of participants: Team
Adaptations of life to the living conditions in a river
3.1-2
Subject: Biology, Chemistry
Age group: 10 - 12, 13 and up
Type of activity: Debate, Field activity, Project
Number of participants: Individual, Paired, Team
Sampling and identifying small animals (macroinvertebrates)
3.1-3
Subject: Art and craft, Biology
Age group: 10 - 12, 13 and up
Type of activity: Field activity
Number of participants: Team
Macroinvertebrates and the Food They Eat
3.1-4
Subject: Biology
Age group: 10 - 12, 13 and up
Type of activity: Debate
Number of participants: Team

Discussion: Macroinvertebrates

Summarize all that you have learned about macroinvertebrates and in what conditions some of their species live. Point out some of them like clan waters, and some of them prefer waters rich in nutrients (polluted water).