‘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.
- Arriving by Bus: Public buses stop at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS). Buses leave from Wynyard Bus stop. Bus 111 also connects from Mosman Wharf straight to SIMS.
- If arriving by private bus or car, street parking is available in Morella Rd Clifton Gardens. A walking path leads from Morella Rd down to Clifton Gardens Reserve. There is metered parking in the Clifton Gardens Reserve but please note, the road is too steep and winding for a bus.
Key inquiry question
“How does the kelp ecosystem function and how do ecosystem dynamics play a role in a resilient ecosystem?
How have humans modified the ecosystem and what are some responses and strategies?”
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
Please note, If snorkelling, this fieldwork requires students to have passed a swimming competency test before the fieldwork day. Students must be able to swim 200 metres in any stroke and tread water for 10 minutes without fins. A qualified instructor must administer this test. The minimum qualification to administer this test is 'Perform Basic Water Rescue'. Detailed teacher preparation information can be found here and will be provided upon booking.
Successful fieldwork visits have direct links to current classroom learning. Pre-visit activities before the excursion will help students better understand the excursion content and provide connectedness and relevance to classroom learning.
Have students visit the Student Support Website, which is provided on booking, and complete any pre-fieldwork activities to familiarise them with the study area.
On the day of 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 the number of classes attended.
Cost
- Government Schools - $20/student
- Non-Government Schools - $30/student
- Snorkelling - minimum cost $350 + GST. Groups over 10 are charged an extra $35 plus GST per student, regardless of school type
- Please ring the Centre for more information
