River Ecosystem Campaign:

Optional Activities

The following activities are all OPTIONAL

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They are designed for students to learn more about rivers as ecosystems, to have fun, and to develop other useful skills such as observational skills, critical thinking, language skills, public speaking, and creativity.

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You may choose to do any or all of these depending on your schedule and interest

At the river�Ecological Assessment

Do an ecological assessment

The Citizen Science Stream Index (CSSI) is an easy to follow method developed by the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and UCC to enable individuals and community groups to assess the ecological quality of streams and rivers through macroinvertebrate sampling

Who is living in the river?

There are many life forms living in our rivers. Some are better known because they are easier to spot — like fish.

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But there are also smaller animals like invertebrates (bugs) that live in rivers but are harder to spot and lesser known.

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Facts about these bugs:

• Most like to live under the rocks and gravel on the bottom of the river.
• Many are larvae or ‘babies’ of flies and other animals that don’t live in river waters as adults.
• They are hard to see when you are standing on the banks!
• You need to do a kick-sample to get a better look at them.

River Site Selection

Please only enter the river if it is safe to do so.

Choose a shallow section (< 20cm depth) of the river, ideally in a ‘riffle’ where the water is flowing over a rocky or gravelly section of the riverbed.

Often the water will be white and slightly turbulent in this area.

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What to Bring

Sampling Net

Plastic Tray and Magnifying Lenses

CSSI Sheet

Extra Equipment and Guide

Credit to DCU Urban Citizen for the slide

Check out this short instructional video on how to conduct the CSSI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsDZ0siO6Ds

Examine the Invertebrates you Found

After you have completed the kick-sample, empty your sample into a plastic tray.

Have a look at your sample, some of the life forms like to hide below rocks and among the organic material.

See if you can identify any ‘good guys’ and any ‘bad guys’

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Use the CSSI sheet to record observations

Credit to DCU Urban Citizen for the slide

In the classroom

Create a River Action Plan

Use your knowledge to make a difference!

One way to do this is to create an action plan. Click HERE for more information on how to create an action plan.

Focus on actions and potential solutions!

Actions for Water

Share you results with your local authority representative and the school BOM

Share your work and experience with the River Ecosystem Campaign at our Student Project-Sharing Webinar on May 6th

Click HERE to register for the webinar

Email us at globe@eeu.antaisce.org of you would like to present

Feeling creative? Why not submit a scientific or creative project to us based on this campaign and stand a chance to win an award at our annual prizegiving!

Your submission can provide details of your study (e.g., presentations and posters) or can raise awareness about the topic at hand (e.g., songs and art).

Win with GLOBE!

Send us your art, project or story and stand a chance to win an award at our annual prizegiving

Students from Rockford Manor Secondary school, Dublin at the 2023/24 Annual GLOBE Awards Event with their teacher.

The award categories…

THANK YOU!

GLOBE Ireland

087 361 1525

globe@eeu.antaisce.org