Indiana Envirothon
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  • About
    • History
    • Regions
    • Awards & Recognition
    • State Champions
  • Regionals
    • Registration
    • Regional Dates and Locations
    • Rules
    • Forms
  • Resources
    • Soil and Land Use
    • Aquatic Ecology
    • Wildlife
    • Forestry
    • Current Issue
  • Contact Us

​Aquatic Ecology Resources and Objectives

On this page, you will find helpful materials for preparing for the aquatic ecology portion of the Indiana Envirothon Competition. 

2025 Aquatic Ecology Resources

Volunteer Stream Monitoring Training Manual by Hoosier Riverwatch
  • https://www.in.gov/idem/riverwatch/2332.htm
USGS Water Resources 
  • Water cycle diagram:  https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/water-cycle-diagrams
  • Water Basics: https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/water-basics-information-topic​
Watersheds
  • What is a watershed:  https://www.in.gov/idem/nps/2369.htm
  • Watershed Basics:  https://www.neefusa.org/water/lesson-1-watershed-basics
Agencies Working on Clean Water:
  • https://engineering.purdue.edu/watersheds/resources/WatershedAgencies.pdf
  • Be familiar with the agencies, programs, and roles of each agency
Nonpoint Source Pollution basics:
  • After the Storm: https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi/200049A9.PDF?Dockey=200049A9.PDF 
  • Basic information about NPS Pollution:  https://www.epa.gov/nps/basic-information-about-nonpoint-source-nps-pollution

Aquatic Ecology Objectives

  1. Identify assisting agencies and laws that govern Indiana waters, and develop a working understanding of the programs which benefit our water resources.
  2. Define a watershed and the interaction of its components.
  3. Define and understand the difference between non-point source and point source water pollution, as well as types of water pollution (organic, inorganic, thermal, toxic, etc.) and their impacts.
  4. Be able to conduct water tests and interpret data for assessing water quality ie: dissolved oxygen, BOD5, turbidity, nitrate/nitrite etc.
  5. Identify aquatic organisms, be able to classify them by pollution tolerance groups, and determine their indication of aquatic health.
  6. Understand the unique characteristics of freshwater resources (lakes and ponds, rivers and streams, reservoirs, wetlands, and groundwater).
  7. Understand the basic concepts of hydrology and the water cycle.
  8. Be familiar with the distribution of the Earth’s water and understand water’s changing states and processes of the water cycle.
  9. Be familiar with citizens’ simple actions that can be implemented to prevent nonpoint source pollution. 
  10. Be able to identify and understand the interaction of segments of a community where water pollution can occur.


Connected Indiana Academic Standards: 
Connected Indiana Academic Standards - Aquatic
File Size: 34 kb
File Type: pdf
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 Visit each of the following topics to access the Reference Material & Learning Objectives:
Decorative Element: Watercolor Style Banner Depicting Soil, Beavers, Trees, and an Old-fashioned Windmill

Soil & Land Use

Wildlife

Forestry

Current Issue

​2025 Current Issue: ​
Roots and Resiliency:  Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change

Indiana Envirothon

The Envirothon is a competitive learning event for high school-aged students, testing their knowledge of environmental resources including soil, water, forestry, wildlife and various current environmental issues.

COVID-19 Update

The 2025 Indiana Envirothon regional and state competitions are scheduled to take place in person; however, this may be updated as county and/or state guidance changes. Please check this page and our Facebook frequently for updates. 

Links

National Competition
Rules and Regulations
Regional Contacts