Buffers Concept Check

What is a riparian buffer?

• A zone of vegetation around a waterway.

• A zone of concrete that channels a waterway to prevent flooding.

• A zone of pasture land where animals can contribute manure and other nutrients to the water.

• A zone of water inside a forest or grassland.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Buffer strips & riparian zones along waterways are beneficial to those waterways because:

• they trap and hold soil nutrients

• they filter possible contaminents

• they hold soil and prevent erosion

• they provide shade

• all of the above

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

One way to improve quality & biodiversity of any riparian zone is to:

• Increase the number of farm animals that graze on the riparian buffer to control vegetation.

• Increase the human influence in the riparian buffer.

• Increase the biodiversity of plant life in the riparian buffer

• Decrease the width of the riparian buffer

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Why is this riparian zone suitable?

• Shade for aquatic animals

• grassy area for collecting loose soil

• Vegetation for buffering

• All of these factors make a suitable riparian zone

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an effective buffer?

• High buffer capacity

• pH close to the pKa of the acid component

• Large changes in pH upon addition of small amounts of acid or base

• Equal concentrations of acid and conjugate base

A buffer is most effective when:

• The pH is equal to 7

• The concentrations of the acid and its conjugate base are equal

• The solution is diluted

• The solution is heated

What happens to the pH of a buffer solution when a small amount of strong acid is added?

• The pH increases significantly

• The pH decreases significantly

• The pH remains relatively constant

• The pH becomes neutral

Which of the following problems can riparian buffers help with keeping out of our waterways? (Check all that apply)

• Sediments from erosion

• Trash from runoff

• Chemicals from lawns and farms.

• Manure from farm animals going directly in the water.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Is this a healthy riparian buffer? Explain why or why not.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Please evaluate the riparian zone.

• Ideal riparian zone

• Damaged riparian zone

• Repairing the riparian zone

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5