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E-48
A LOCAL WAY OF LEARNING
SOME THINGS IN A SAND BAY BOTTOM

Eulalie R. Rivera
Elementary School Environmental
Education Team
Level: 3-6


Concepts:
2. Ecosystem
4. Water
5. Resources


Disciplines:
1.Science
2.Social Studies
3.Language Arts


Objective:

Students will become aware that even seemingly barren bay sand bottoms contain
many things that are important resources by the simple exercise of looking for
the words in a letter box.

Rationale:

This is designed as an introduction activity to develop interest or curiosity
about different aspects of the marine environment.

Directions:

1.Distribute the activity sheet, allow 15 minutes for the word search.

2.Usina the key provided, score student work.

3.Based on the DCCA Fact Shee No. 10, discuss briefly the elements and
their importance to Virgin Islands environment.

Resources:

Coastal Environments: Sand Bottoms, DCCA Environmental Fact Sheet No. 10.


E.T. -
Title:

Author:



Grade I











E. T.


SOME THINGS IN A SAND BAY BOTTOM


Name:
School:
Score:


13-21 words = A
14-17 words = B
10-13 words = C
6-9 words = D


In the left hand column are words, plants, and creatures that are a part of the
sand bottom of the marine off shores of the Virgin Islands. How many can you
find and circle in the letter block? They may be in down, across, slant, and
backwards position.


Halophila
Conch
Sponge
algae
coral
lizard fish
file fish
hermit crab
infauna
worms
mollusk
crabs
shrimp
burrow
hummocks
sand
algal
barren
low light
rays
sharks


WE U S RMCA
OP I H A L O P
RTSRPUNI
R T S R P U N I
M J K I W C C O
MJKIWCCO
S F L M A S H I
PE SPONGE
S C R A B S U Z
KJAN B CAW
RE B U RROW
A C E A D P U I
H S I F E L I F
S T I N B C O A
H S T I R B A R
H UMM O C K S
ACEADPUI
HSIFELIF
STINBCOA
HSTIRBAR
HUMMOCKS


RAYS
H I L A
E C V N
R A L D
MLO W
I G W R
T A L S
C E I K
RIGS
A E H U
BOTL
L G A L
RENO
ROAM















SOME THINGS IN A SAND BAY BOTTOM

DCCA ENVIRONMENTAL FACT SHEET NO. 10
COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS: SAND BOTTOMS

What Are They?

Sandy bottoms are areas with, at most, sparse sea grass or algal cover. Large
areas of sandy bottoms can be found around all three islands. Sometimes they
occur in shallow bays, although most shallow bays are vegetated. The most
extensive areas of essentially bare sand occur below 60 feet depth. Even here,
the lack of extensive plant growth is not easily explained, but may be due to
low light intensity and/or the nature of the sediment. Another possible
explanation may be that the sand is shifting at a rate which prevents plant
establishment.

Sand bottoms with algal cover are often called algal plains. Even though the
algae may not cover a large area, species diversity and productivity can be
quite high. These calcareous algae are also major contributors to beach sand.