Biology Field Trip

Wilsons Promontory

Melinda Kelly 22557944

VCE Study Design. 2009. VCAA

VCE Biology Curriculum

• Unit 2: Organisms and their environment• Area of Study 1: Adaptations of organisms

• Outcome 1: Students should be able to explain and analyse the relationship between environmental factors, and adaptations and distribution of living things.

Key Skills Links to VCE Study Design, VCAA, 2009

Investigate and Enquire Scientifically •Formulate questions for the ranger and construct hypotheses appropriate to the three habitats and the species present.•Collect and record information systematically and synthesise data. Draw conclusions about adaptations and species distribution from the data collected.•Act responsibly while on the field trip, maintain safe practices, work independently and collaboratively as appropriate.

Apply Biological Understandings •Apply understandings to familiar and new contexts (biotic and abiotic factors, adaptation of species, transect and stratification diagrams, food webs). Make connections between concepts, solve problems.

Communicate Biological Information and Understandings

•Students need to interpret, transpose and communicate information and ideas effectively to the Ranger during the field trip and in completing the assignment.•Use appropriate communication •Use scientific terminology and conventions throughout

Key Knowledge Links to VCE Study Design, VCAA, 2009

Environmental factors, biotic and abiotic factors, availability of resources.

•Environmental factors of the three habitats, biotic and abiotic factors and availability of resources for different species in their habitat.

Structural adaptations, relating major features of organisms to survival values.

•Why do species live where they do? •What major structural adaptations do species have to suit their environment?•What special features do plants and animals have that enables them to survive and regenerate after fire?

Reproductive adaptations, systems and strategies, development and life cycles

•What special features do plants and animals have that enables them to survive and regenerate after fire?

Techniques used to monitor environmental changes and species distribution

•How are pest species monitored?•How are endangered species monitored?•Measuring of species distribution at different stages after fire using quadrant sampling.

Year 11 BiologyWilsons Promontory Field Trip

Study of HabitatsWe will be studying three

different habitats.• Tidal wetlands• Heathland – burnt by

controlled burns 3 years ago

• Heathland – burnt by the February 2009 natural fires

Norman Bay Wilsons Promontory

Summary of Field TripTime Activity Where10.30am Meet the ranger Education Centre Tidal River

11.00am Tidal Wetlands Walk from Education Centre to Norman Bay. From Norman Bay walk along Tidal River to the board walk, walk along boardwalk and back to car park.

12.30pm Lunch Lunch at picnic tables at Tidal River

1.30pm Heathland – Lilly Pilly walk Walk towards the Lilly Pilly carpark observing Heath land along the way (this Heath land was control burnt 3 years ago). Take quadrant samples along the way. (4 per group)

2.30pm Heathland – Lilly Pilly carpark Walk from the Lilly Pilly carpark towards the rainforest. This heathland was burnt in the 2009 natural fires. Take quadrants. (4 per group)

3.30pm Home

Resources Required•Paper•Pencil•Clipboard•Assignment sheet•Warm clothes, suitable footwear•Raincoat•Lunch•Drink•Sunscreen•Camera

The following will be supplied by the ranger.•Quadrant•Laminated flora identification cards•maps Common Heath

1. Describe the habitat, its location, special features, points of interest.2. What species (animals, plants) are present? What can you see, what can

you hear, is there evidence of animals present (eg. scats, burrows, quadrant sampling)

3. Describe the main abiotic and biotic factors. Are there any symbiotic relationships?

4. Discuss adaptations and the structure of species (why and how they live where they do).

5. Discuss special features of plants and animals that enables them to survive and regenerate after fire.

6. What pest species are present, how are they controlled?7. How are populations monitored, controlled and restored?8. Draw a transect and vertical stratification diagram for each habitat.9. Draw a food web for each habitat.

Assessment Task: For each of the habitats you need to complete the following.

Before the field tripWe will take a walk prior to the field trip and try to identify the following plants we may see at Wilsons Promontory•Acacias•Melaleuca•Casuarina•Banksia•Lyptospermum•Lilly Pilly•Native grasses and weeds, sedges and rushes, herbs, orchids, lilies, irises•Introduced species such as willows, cypress, plums, blackberry, grass.

Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory

Before the field tripKnow what the following bird species look like, we may see them;•Cape Barron Goose•Black Swan•Ducks•Cormorants•Egret•Heron•Spoonbill•Ibis•Eagle – Wedge Tail, White Bellied Sea•Purple Swamp hen•Crested Pigeon•CockatoosRainbow Lorikeet•King Parrots•Crimson Rosella•Kingfisher•Kookaburra•Wrens•Honeyeaters•Magpie•Magpie lark•Pied Currawong•Raven •Emu

Emu, Wilsons Promontory

Before the field tripWe may also see or see evidence of the following animals;•Wombats•Wallabies•Kangaroos•Hog deer•Wild cats •Foxes•Yabbies•Swamp rat•Insects•Possums•New Holland mouse

The endangered New Holland Mouse

Common wombat

Resources Pre and Post Field Trip

The following resources may help with identification:Meagher, D. & Kohout, M. 2001. A field guide to Wilsons Promontory. South

Melbourne: Oxford University Press.Ingamells, P. 1999. Discovering the Prom. East Melbourne: Victorian National Parks

Association.

The following resources may help with transects, adaptations, examples of biotic and abiotic factors, how plants regenerate after fire, monitoring techniques:

Evans, B., Ladiges, P., McKenzie, J. & Sanders, Y. 2007 Heinemann Biology 1. Port Melbourne: Harcourt Education.

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=217

Post field trip Your assignment should include:

• Title page• Discussion and listing of; The main species is each habitat Abiotic factors Adaptations and structure of species Transect and stratification diagrams Special features relating to fire survival and regeneration Biotic factors Pest species Endangered species Population control Food web diagrams for each habitat• Conclusion and general discussion

Boardwalk: Wilsons Promontory Tidal Wetlands

References

Evans, B., Ladiges, P., McKenzie, J. & Sanders, Y. 2007 Heinemann Biology 1. Port Melbourne: Harcourt Education.

Ingamells, P. 1999. Discovering the Prom. East Melbourne: Victorian National Parks Association.

Meagher, D. & Kohout, M. 2001. A field guide to Wilsons Promontory. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=217