Understanding Wetlands Wetland Awareness: Results of a Campus Wide Survey S. A. Isiorho & Katie M. Beard* Indiana University- Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) Outline of Presentation Designing an Honors Course Course Structure /Grading Why the chosen topic? Introduction to this project Methods Results Discussion Conclusion Designing an Honors Course Challenges Relevant topics Interdisciplinary in nature Class size Research Structure of course Requirement2 science courses Syllabus Part I Introduction to geologyminerals, rocks, glaciations, etc. Part II Hydrologysurface water and groundwater Part III Human interaction with environments Part IV Design, experiments, projects Grading Tests (20%) Weekly lab experiment /or field report (20%) Grading Field trips to wetlands (10%) Grading Students project (50%) Course Outcomes Education Hands-on Methods & techniques Why Wetland? An important societal topic Interests in the media and the public Understanding Wetlands is Interdisciplinary in Nature Interdisciplinary with help from Anthropology to Zoology Draws on Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Fine Art, Law, Medicine, Geology etc. Where are wetlands found? Location, location, location Finding wetlands Aerial photographs Finding wetlands Satellite images Finding wetlands Topographic maps Finding wetlands Published Reports Finding wetlands Field visits What comes to mind when you hear the word WETLAND? A yucky place? Or frightening place? Do you think of Wetland as an area with Openwater with plants? Or as Something that needs to be studied? Introduction to this project Definition criteria Definition Hydrology Definition criteria Hydric soil Definition criteria Hydrophytes Wetland Functions Wetlands Water source for aquifers & streams Curb flooding & erosion Wetland Functions Contd. Sanctuary for wildlife Wetland Functions Contd. Food source RiceCranberry Wetland Functions Contd. Energy source Peat mining Indiana Wetlands Once comprised of 5.5 million acres Now 813,000 acres remain Destruction continues Demise of Wetlands in NE Indiana Problems with wetlands Obstacles to progress (development) Hazards to humans Purpose Identify wetland awareness levels Methods Questionnaire 15-Questions Survey: Demographic Questions Where were you raised? A. Urban / Suburban / City area B. Rural / Country area What is your gender? A. Male B. Female Under which university are you seeking your degree? A. Indiana University B. Purdue University C. Undecided Survey: Wetland Awareness Wetlands are lands where water is present for at least part of the year and the extended presence of water creates a wet habitat for certain plants and animals. A. Yes B. No Wetlands can be found in nearly every county in the US A. True B. False Wetlands are not as productive an ecosystem as rainforests and coral reefs. A. True B. False Collection of data Approach Served to 525 students Exclusion Categorization of data High Intermediate Low Results Survey Participants 50.8% scored in the Low category 41.4% scored in the Intermediate category Only 7.8% scored in the High category Results Urban/Rural Tabulated Statistics Rural Urban High 208.6% 197.1% Intermediate 10645.5% 10137.8% Low 10745.9% 14755.1% Chi-Square = P-Value = Descriptive Statistics N Median Minimum Maximum Rural Urban Results Gender Female Male High 155.1% 2411.8% Intermediate 12140.9% 8642.1% Low 16054% 9446.1% Chi-Square = P-Value = Gender N Median StDev Min Max Female Male Results University University N Median St Dev Min Max Indiana Purdue Undecided Undecided Indiana Purdue High % % 1-2.8% Intermediate % % % Low % % % Chi-Square = P-Value = 0.183 Need for Wetland Education? Seventy five percent show lack of wetland understanding Results show need for wetland education Limitations Framing of questions Categorizing by major Approach Strengths High success rate in survey completion Conclusion Results show low wetland awareness level This proves need for wetland education Future research suggestions Larger study More researchers involved Ongoing research Standard randomization testing