Mission 3 Argonaut Field Assignment Video
Join the National Argonauts as they explore the waters of the Chesapeake Bay with National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, Dr. Sylvia Earle.

Caution!
You must have the landowner's permission to access any land in your study. Even if your ecosystem is on public land, inform the proper authorities of your intent. Obtain permission before conducting tests at your study site. Never travel alone. Take a responsible adult with you to the study site. Always use proper safety protocol while using tools.

1. Build or collect the tools you will need to
   conduct your field study.
2. Create a list of resources in your community that might have historical information about your degraded ecosystem. Some places to consider are:
   • schools
   • public library
   • nature centers
   • historical societies
   • professionals with first-hand knowledge of local ecology like professors, ecologists, and naturalists
   • long-time community residents
   • Google Earth™ or other online remote imaging tool
   • other

1. Identify a local degraded ecosystem in your community.
2. Using the tools listed in the materials list, gather evidence to support your claim that your study site is a degraded ecosystem.
3. Find and gather a collection of primary and secondary sources that can support your claim, such as:
   • photographs
   • newspapers
   • personal interviews
   • land records
   • maps
   • law documents and court records
   • journals and diaries
   • other sources
4. Create a field notebook using all your documents (including photocopies and photos) and data.
5. List the events that contributed to the degradation of your study site. Support your list with evidence.
6. Use your data to write a plan for the recovery of your study site. Be sure to consider and describe the potential extent of its recovery.

1. Based on your discoveries, what alternative actions or choices could people have made in the past to prevent the degradation?
2. Imagine there were no past human influences that affected the balance of your study site. Describe what you think this ecosystem would look like today.
3. Review your plan and describe what factors might lead to the success or failure of your plan.
4. Discuss the possible negative impacts that your plan might have on your community or the ecological community of your study site.

Journal Question Sylvia Earle believes ecosystems have the ability to self-repair. If your community decided not to implement your plan, forecast what your ecosystem might look like in fifty years.