T HE RI P P L E E F F ECT
Water Warriors: The Ripple Effect Activity Pack
Be Part of The Ripple Effect Small actions can create big change. The Ripple Effect project is all about using your creativity to show what a healthy river and ecosystem could look like, with salmon at the heart of your design. Think big. Be bold. Make people stop and look. Selected artworks will be turned into real outdoor ads for Loughs Agency, seen by people all across the Foyle and Carlingford areas. This is your chance to make an impact and have your work seen far beyond the classroom! Ready to make an impact?
WHY ARE SALMON SO IMPORTANT? Salmon are one of the most important species in the Foyle and Carlingford catchments. They are vital to the health of the ecosystem and play several important roles in the natural world. Because salmon are such an important food source for many animals, their presence helps support entire ecosystems. Birds, mammals and other fish rely on salmon as part of the food chain.
Question Can you guess how many eggs a female Salmon lays when spawning?
A. 120
B. 12,000
C. 120,000
WHY ARE SALMON SO IMPORTANT? Salmon are one of the most important species in the Foyle and Carlingford catchments. They are vital to the health of the ecosystem and play several important roles in the natural world. Because salmon are such an important food source for many animals, their presence helps support entire ecosystems. Birds, mammals and other fish rely on salmon as part of the food chain.
Question Can you guess how many eggs a female Salmon lays when spawning?
A. 120
B. 12,000
C. 120,000
The correct answer is 12,000! A female salmon can lay up to 12,000 eggs when spawning. However, only two or three of these typically survive to adulthood due to natural predators and environmental challenges.
SALMON AS A KEYSTONE SPECIES Did you know? A keystone species is a species that plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecosystem. Without it, the ecosystem would change dramatically or could even collapse.
If salmon were to disappear, the balance of the ecosystem would be severely disrupted.
Salmon are considered a keystone species in our river systems because many other species depend on them for survival. These include; Herons
Kingfishers
Mammals
Other fish species
SALMON AS AN UMBRELLA SPECIES As an umbrella species, Salmon require very clean water and healthy habitats in order to survive.
Can you name 3 ways we can keep our waterways clean to protect salmon?
When we protect salmon habitats, we automatically protect many other species that live in the same ecosystem, including aquatic plants, insects, fish and birds.
Take a few moments to brainstorm ideas as a class.
By protecting salmon, we effectively protect an entire community of wildlife.
1……………….………………. 2……………….………………. 3……………….……………….
SALMON AS AN INDICATOR SPECIES Did you know? Scientists use Salmon to measure the health of rivers and aquatic ecosystems? If the salmon is doing well, the environment is healthy If the salmon is struggling, something might be wrong.
Salmon are very sensitive to changes in their environment. They need:
Clean water
The right temperature
Safe places to travel and spawn
Why This Matters When salmon are in trouble, it doesn’t just affect them… It affects the whole river! Fish, birds, insects and even plants can all be impacted. That’s why salmon are so important, they help us spot problems early so we can fix them.
THREATS TO OUR RIVERS Healthy rivers are essential for salmon and the many species that depend on them. However, several environmental pressures can affect the health of our waterways and the ecosystems connected to them. Understanding these challenges helps us take action to protect and restore our rivers.
Can you name some of the top threats to our rivers? Take a few moments to brainstorm ideas as a class. 1……………….………………. 2……………….………………. 3……………….……………….
THREATS TO OUR RIVERS Healthy rivers are essential for salmon and the many species that depend on them. However, several environmental pressures can affect the health of our waterways and the ecosystems connected to them. Understanding these challenges helps us take action to protect and restore our rivers.
Can you name some of the top threats to our rivers? Take a few moments to brainstorm ideas as a class. Some of the main threats to our rivers are…
Water Pollution Water Crisis
Air Pollution Climate Change
Global Warming
Species Extinction
Deforestation Impact
Natural Resource Drain
Biodiversity Loss
Habitat Destruction Exploitation of Resources
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN TO HELP US SPREAD THE MESSAGE! Using what you’ve learned about salmon and river life, design an artwork that shows: • A healthy, thriving river • Salmon at the heart of the ecosystem • The wildlife and nature that depend on it
Add your pledge! Include one thing you will do to help protect rivers and wildlife.
Have your artwork displayed in billboards and bus shelters across the Foyle and Carlingford areas as part of a campaign for Loughs Agency.
Here’s some useful tips to ensure your artwork stands out from the crowd!
• Use strong colours • Focus on one strong idea • Make sure your main subject is large and visible • Think about what someone might see quickly as they pass by • Your pledge should be short and easy to read from a distance
Let your ideas make waves!
NEED SOME INSPIRATION? WHY NOT USE ONE OF THE EXAMPLES BELOW Artwork idea: Trees along a river while a large salmon swims below in cool, shaded water.
Artwork idea: A large salmon swimming through clear water, with rubbish bins along the riverbank and clean banks visible. Pledge idea: I pledge to keep rivers clean so salmon can survive.
Artwork idea: A community cleaning a river, removing waste, with a healthy salmon clearly visible in the water.
3. Protect Riverbanks
1. Keep Rivers Clean for Salmon
Pledge idea: Pledge to protect riverbanks to keep rivers cool for salmon. 2. Stop Pollution Artwork idea: A central salmon swimming into clean water. Pledge idea: I pledge to reduce pollution to protect salmon.
5. Take Action for Salmon
4. Save Water, Help Salmon Artwork idea: A strong flowing river with a large salmon. Pledge idea: I pledge to use water wisely to protect salmon rivers.
Pledge idea: I pledge to take action to protect salmon and their rivers.