Noxubee Refuge Lab Report

The purpose of this lab was to determine what vegetation was present above and below the water’s surface and to observe the water visibility depth at Noxubee Refuge. We collected samples of data from the two different lakes at Noxubee Refuge. The two lakes were Bluff Lake and Loakfoma Lake. The Bluff lake consists of 800 acres of the Noxubee Refuge, and Loakfoma Lake consists of 400 acres (About the Refuge). Many different wildlife species are present at these two lakes. The wildlife includes migratory waterfowl, shoreline birds, and alligators. We observed all three of these wildlife species while collecting data. Along with the wildlife, there are many different plant species to observe. The plant species consist of upland species …show more content…
The depth finder was used to determine the depth of the water. The Secchi test determines the visibility depth. The Secchi is a round disk with two white triangles separated by two black triangles. These triangles cover the entire disk. The disk is connected to a tape measure. The tape measure shows the depth of the disk. The Secchi test is completed by taking the Secchi down, the Secchi up, and the Secchi average. The Secchi down is done by lowering the disk until it is no longer visible and pinching the tape at the water’s surface to mark the measurement reading. The Secchi up is done directly after the Secchi down. It is done by raising the disk up until the white and black can be distinguished and repeat the tape reading process. The Secchi average is the average of the Secchi up and Secchi down. Looking at the above water vegetation and throwing the head of a rake in the water with a rope attached to it determines the vegetation present above and below the water. By using these methods, our class could determine accurate data for the