‘Ecosystems and global biodiversity’ is a S6 Geography fieldwork case study of an ecosystem – Kelp forests of south eastern Australia, through a fieldwork investigation of one place within the ecosystem – Chowder Bay, Sydney Harbour. The program will highlight:
- The character of the ecosystem, including its spatial patterns and nature of its biodiversity
- The dynamics of ecosystem functioning including vulnerability, resilience and ecological disturbance
- Human induced modification to the ecosystem
- Responses and strategies including for maintaining ecosystem functioning and actions for sustainability
- Ecosystem management including research and innovation in sustainable management of the ecosystem.
Students will investigate the chosen ecosystem using geographic skills and fieldwork techniques, including snorkelling in Chowder Bay, to better understand the ecosystem.
The Kelp Forest at Chowder Bay, NSW is a part of the greater Kelp Forests of the Great Southern Reef. Kelp forests harbour a greater variety and higher diversity of plants and animals than almost any other ocean community.
Students will participate in a series of hands on fieldwork activities at Clifton Gardens Reserve on Chowder Bay, Sydney Harbour. These activities will enhance geographical inquiry in this topic.
Program location
Clifton Gardens Reserve, Chowder Bay Mosman
Key inquiry question
TBC
Key syllabus outcomes
- GE-12-01 - analyses rural and urban places, ecosystems, global biodiversity and economic activity, for their characteristics, spatial patterns, interactions, and nature and extent of change over time
- GE-12-02 - analyses geographical processes and influences, at a range of scales, that form and transform places and environments
- GE-12-03 - assesses geographical opportunities and challenges, and the role of varying perspectives and responses in their management
- GE-12-04 - evaluates responses and management strategies, at a range of scales, for sustainability
- GE-12-05 -s ynthesises and evaluates relevant geographical information from a variety of sources
- GE-12-07 - selects and applies geographical inquiry skills and tools, including spatial technologies, fieldwork, and ethical practices, to investigate places and environments
- GE-12-09 -communicates and applies geographical understanding, using geographical knowledge, concepts, terms and tools, in appropriate forms
Skills outcomes
Learning activities include:
- Acquiring, processing, applying and communicating geographic information.
- applies geographical inquiry skills and tools, including spatial technologies, fieldwork, and ethical practices, to investigate places and environments GE-12-07
- communicates and applies geographical understanding, using geographical knowledge, concepts, terms and tools, in appropriate forms GE-12-09
Student previsit and follow up activities
Successful fieldwork visits have direct links to current classroom learning. Pre-visit activities carried out prior to the excursion will help students better understand their excursion content and provide connectedness and relevance to classroom learning.
Have students visit the Student Support Webite, provided on booking, and complete any pre fieldwork activities to familiarise them with the study area.
On the day activities
During the full day fieldwork excursion, students will complete the following activities:
- Snorkelling in Chowder Bay Reserve to observe kelp first hand. (optional)
- Map Annotation and Precis Map construction
- Stimulus resource investigation of Spatial Patterns
- Observation and recording of the unique features of Kelp including what does Kelp need to grow?
- Food web construction
- data collection of Biotic and Abiotic features
- Observations and assessment of human impacts and management Strategies
Please note; activities may vary depending on number of classes attending.
Cost
- Please ring the Centre for cost options.
