Topics

Areas of Study

The key points highlighted within each area of study will provide you with a good idea about what you need to know to compete at the Texas Envirothon. Advisors may use them as a guide to design effective curricula, educational resources, and testing scenarios. Details and study materials can be found in the Texas Envirothon Study Guide.

Download 2009 TEKS Correlations

Current Issue

• Understand the ability of Natural Resources Districts to implement local policy and local management to protect water users.
• Understand administrative structures and processes for managing water uses and supplies.
• Understand ground and surface water hydrology and connectivity.
• Understand the economic, social and environmental impacts of projects and policy decisions.
• Study Guide: Current Issue

Aquatics

• Identify the processes and phases for each part of the water cycle
• Describe the chemical and physical properties of water and explain their importance for freshwater and saltwater ecosystems
• Discuss methods of conserving water and reducing point and non-point source pollution
• Analyze the interaction of competing uses of water supply, hydropower, navigation, wildlife, recreation, waste assimilation, irrigation, industry, and others
• Identify common aquatic organisms through the use of a key
• Delineate the watershed boundary for a small water body
• Be able to explain the different types of aquifers and how each type relates to water quality and quantity
• Briefly describe the benefits of wetlands, both function and value
• Describe the changes to the aquatic ecosystem based on alteration to the aquatic habitat
• Know methods used to assess and manage aquatic environments and utilize water quality information to assess the general water quality of a given body of water (includes sampling techniques, water quality parameters used to monitor point and non-point source pollution)
• Be familiar with major methods and laws used to protect water quality (surface and ground water) and utilize this information to make management decisions to improve the quality of water in a given situation
• Study Guide: Aquatics

Forestry

• Identify common trees without a key and identify specific or unusual species of trees or shrubs through the use of a key
• Understand forest ecology concepts and factors affecting them, including the relationship between soil and forest types, tree communities, regeneration, competition, and succession
• Understand the cause/effect relationship of factors affecting tree growth and forest development (climate, insects, microorganisms, etc.)
• Understand how wildlife habitat relates to forest communities, forest species, forest age structure, snags and den trees, availability of food, and riparian zones
• Understand the value of trees in urban and suburban settings and factors affecting their health and survival
• Understand how the following issues are affected by forest health and management: biological diversity, forest fragmentation, air quality, fire, and recreation
• Understand basic forest management concepts and tools such as: how various silvicultural practices are utilized, the use of tree measuring devices, and best management practices
• Identify complex factors which influences forest management decisions (economics, social, and ecological)
• Apply silviculture concepts and methods to develop general management recommendations for a particular situation and management goals
• Study Guide: Forestry

Soils and Land Use

• Recognize soil as an important resource
• Describe basic soil properties and formation factors
• Understand soil drainage classes and know how wetlands are defined
• Determine basic soil properties and limitations, such as mottling and permeability, by observing a soil pit or soil profile
• Identify types of soil erosion and discuss methods for reducing erosion
• Utilize soil information, including soil surveys, in land use planning
• Discuss how soil is a factor in, or impacted by non-point source pollution
• Study Guide: Soils and Land Use

Wildlife

• Identify common wildlife species and wildlife signs (keys will be used for more extensive identification)
• Identify basic wildlife survival needs
• Describe specific adaptations of wildlife to their environment and role in the ecosystem
• Describe predator/prey relationships and examples
• Describe the potential impact of the introduction of non-native species
• Describe the major factors affecting threatened and endangered species and methods used to improve the populations of these species
• Describe ways habitat can be improved for specific species by knowing their requirements
• Discuss the concepts of carrying capacity and limiting factors
• Discuss various ways the public and wildlife managers can help in the protection, conservation, management, and enhancement of wildlife populations
• Describe food chains/webs and cite examples
• Describe factors that limit or enhance population growth
• Evaluate a given habitat for its suitability for designated species, given a description of their habitat needs
• Study Guide: Wildlife