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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
The Local Environment
Soils and the Local Biological EnvironmentBiodiversity / Habitat AssessmentFreshwater AnalysisImpact of Humans on the Local Environment
Name _______________________________________________________
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
SYLLABUS OUTCOMESP2: applies the processes that are used to test and validate models, theories and laws of
science with particular emphasis on first-hand investigations in Earth 7 Environmental
Science
P7: identifies and describes the physical and chemical features of the environment
P10: describes human impact on the local environment
P12: discusses the validity and reliability of data gathered from first – hand investigations
and secondary sources
P14: draws valid conclusions from gathered data and information
P16: demonstrates positive values about and attitudes towards both the living and non-
living components of the environment, ethical behaviour and a desire for a critical evaluation
of the consequences of the applications of science.
HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES
As you are working out in the field you need to be aware that;
Ground materials can be slippery
Vines and dense undergrowth can trip
Some animals can deliver painful or venomous bites
Fallen trees can be rotten and weak
Rocks can be easily dislodged on sloping areas
Edges of wetlands can be quite deep and muddy
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE STUDY SITE
The site is located at Sackville North on a ridge above the Hawkesbury River. The natural vegetation of the area has been modified by farming practices, school buildings and rural residential properties.
The land was originally inhabited by the Darug Aboriginal nation and presumably was not greatly altered during that time. The Sackville – Windsor area was considered suitable for farming and was settled in 1810. The vegetation was severely modified following settlement. This was initially restricted to the flood plain immediately adjacent to the river.
Sackville North Public School was located on the site from 1878-1972. Brewongle Field Studies Centre was opened officially in 1979 after the site was used for camping in the interim. It is now called Brewongle Environmental Education Centre and is a facility that hosts other schools on day and camp visits.
The site has been classified as having the vegetation community of Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest with dominant tree species including Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata), Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera), Yellow Bloodwood (Corrimbia eximia), Red Bloodwood (Corrimbia gumnifera) and Grey Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia)
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
HABITAT ASSESSMENTHabitat Element
SITE 1
SITE 2
SITE 3
TREE
S
Trees 1 - 3 large trees (> 6m) 1 More than 5 large trees
2 One or more trees native to Australia 2
A variety of 4 or more
plant species 2
Healthy Tree Canopy / Plant Foliage
Healthy 2
Moderately Healthy
1
Defoliation Evident
0
Evidence of Dieback
0
SHR
UB
S Shrubs None 0
Some 1
Most 2
Native Shrubs None 0
Some 1
Most 2
GR
OU
ND
C
OVE
RS Ground Cover None
0Some
1Most
2 Native Grasses or Spreading Plants 2
SHEL
TER
HollowsButt
Hollows 1
Limb Hollows
1
Fallen Log
Hollows 1
Rocks & Crevices None 0
Some 1
Most 2
Leaf Litter None 0
Some 1
Most 2
Loose Bark (attached or shed)
None 0
Some 1
Most 2
Logs & Fallen Branches
None 0
Some 1
Most 2
WA
TER
Pond/Water Yes 1
No 0
FOO
D Plants with Fruits / Seeds
None 0
Some 1
Most 2
HA
BIT
AT
SPA
CE Plants of Different
AgesNone
0Some
1Most
2
SU
RR
OU
ND
ING
LA
ND
SC
AP
E Joined or Located to Other Gardens / Bush
by Gardens / BushYes
1No 0
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
TOTAL SCORE / 33
INTERPRETING THE HABITAT ASSESSMENTAREA - the higher the score the better. Larger animals and those higher up the food chain require more territory/range in which to support themselves. Wildlife corridors play an important role in sustaining and conserving plant and animal species.
TREES - provide nesting sites and food for nectar and fruit eaters.
HEALTHY TREE CANOPY – a healthy canopy will indicate the site is relatively free of human disturbances (eg; erosion, compaction) or natural disturbances (storm damage, major presence of mistletoe)
SHRUBS – dense native shrubs allow small native animals and birds to shelter and to hide from predators such as feral cats.
HERBS & GROUND COVERS – provide the food for finches, lyrebirds, lizards, frogs and wallabies, and also provide habitats for small mammals, insects and spiders.
NATIVE PLANTS – native plants are adapted to the Australian environment. They require less watering, little or no fertiliser and provide the right food at the right time for the native animals that have evolved with them.
HOLLOWS – are important homes for native wildlife. It can take over a hundred years for hollows to develop in forests. Hollows also provide nesting sites for birds, possums and bats.
ROCKS & CREVICES – provide habitat for many animals to live and feed and for certain species of plants to grow – they are valuable habitat. Bush rock collection has had a significant impact on our wildlife and degraded many areas.
LEAF LITTER – provides habitat for smaller animals like lizards, geckos, frogs and invertebrates. Leaf litter, when broken down, provides humus – a rich source of nutrients for trees and shrubs.
LOOSE BARK – provides habitat for invertebrates, spiders and lizards.
LOGS OR FALLEN BRANCHES – 20% of native mammals need logs to nest in. They provide habitat for invertebrates and reptiles. When they decay they provide nutrients for the ecosystem.
POND / WATER – provides homes for frogs, native fish, dragonfly nymphs and other invertebrates. Also drinking water for birds and animals.
PLANTS WITH FRUIT / SEEDS – an important source of food for birds, bats, possums and invertebrates.
PLANTS OF DIFFERENT AGES – indicates that an area has more habitat spaces for a variety of plants and animals.
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A LOW SCORE WILL INDICATE THE ZONE IS POOR HABITAT.This may be because it has been disturbed or requires
additional habitat parameters to better support the amazing variety of living things.
The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
JOINED OR LOCATED TO OTHER GARDENS / BUSH – a variety of vegetation, vegetation density and landscapes will allow a greater range of animal species to find food and nesting sites.
References – Rumbulara EEC, CRAM Project – CMA,Windsor
THE PROPERTIES OF LOCAL SOILS AFFECT THE LOCAL BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
The Local Biological Characteristics
Estimate Measure
Tree Height Leaf Litter Depth
% Canopy Cover Air Temperature
Vegetation Structure Humidity
Aspect
Wind Speed and Direction
Light Intensity
Dominant Plant SpeciesWe can gather first-hand data on dominant plants by examining plant abundance. Abundance refers to the number of species in a given area. This may involve counting actual species but if the area is too large, sample plots or quadrats are used.
Abundance = number of plant species (c) X 100 total number of plants counted in the quadrat
eg: 3 paperbarks X 100 = 25% relative abundance 12 plants
PLANT NAME TOTAL COUNTED IN QAUDRAT 1 ABUNDANCE
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
Total No. of Plants Counted
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
Constructing a Soil Micromonolith
Soil Profile Number ________________ Slope ___________________________________
Location __________________________________________________________________
Sketch your soil profile, label the layers or horizons and record the data.
HORIZONS PROFILE SKETCH DATA
Describe type of rock in the bedrock (if present) ___________________________________
Are peds evident? (Peds are clumps of grains of the soil) _________________________________________________________________________
Salinity: Is salinity present at this site? __________________________________________
If present, how can we account for this?_________________________________________
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Organic Layer
Top Soil Layer
Subsoil Layer
Geological Layer
Contents of layers above top soil (if existing)Litter _______________________________Humus ______________________________Total depth of layer above top soil ________
Top Soil (A horizon)Depth ___________ in (cm) to _________ in (cm)Colour ___________________Texture: sandy loamy clayeyStructure: platy blocky prismatic spheroidalpH ____________Temperature_________Plant roots visible ___________
Subsoil (B horizon)Depth ___________ in (cm) to _________ in (cm)Colour ___________________Texture: sandy loamy clayeyStructure: columnar blocky platey granularpH ____________Plant roots visible ___________
Parent Material (C horizon)Depth ___________ in (cm) to _________ in (cm)Colour ___________________Texture: sandy loamy clayeyStructure: columnar blocky platey granularpH ____________Plant roots visible ___________
The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
THE PROPERTIES OF LOCAL SOILS AFFECT THE LOCAL BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
The Local Biological Characteristics
Estimate Measure
Tree Height Leaf Litter Depth
% Canopy Cover Air Temperature
Vegetation Structure Humidity
Aspect
Wind Speed and Direction
Light Intensity
Dominant Plant SpeciesWe can gather first-hand data on dominant plants by examining plant abundance. Abundance refers to the number of species in a given area. This may involve counting actual species but if the area is too large, sample plots or quadrats are used.
Abundance = number of plant species (c) X 100 total number of plants counted in the quadrat
eg: 3 paperbarks X 100 = 25% relative abundance 12 plants
PLANT NAME TOTAL COUNTED IN QAUDRAT 1 ABUNDANCE
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
Total No. of Plants Counted
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
Constructing a Soil Micromonolith
Soil Profile Number ________________ Slope ___________________________________
Location __________________________________________________________________
Sketch your soil profile, label the layers or horizons and record the data.
HORIZONS PROFILE SKETCH DATA
Describe type of rock in the bedrock (if present) ___________________________________
Are peds evident? (Peds are clumps of grains of the soil) _________________________________________________________________________
Salinity: Is salinity present at this site? __________________________________________
If present, how can we account for this?_________________________________________
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Organic Layer
Top Soil Layer
Subsoil Layer
Geological Layer
Contents of layers above top soil (if existing)Litter _______________________________Humus ______________________________Total depth of layer above top soil ________
Top Soil (A horizon)Depth ___________ in (cm) to _________ in (cm)Colour ___________________Texture: sandy loamy clayeyStructure: platy blocky prismatic spheroidalpH ____________Temperature_________Plant roots visible ___________
Subsoil (B horizon)Depth ___________ in (cm) to _________ in (cm)Colour ___________________Texture: sandy loamy clayeyStructure: columnar blocky platey granularpH ____________Plant roots visible ___________
Parent Material (C horizon)Depth ___________ in (cm) to _________ in (cm)Colour ___________________Texture: sandy loamy clayeyStructure: columnar blocky platey granularpH ____________Plant roots visible ___________
The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
THE PROPERTIES OF LOCAL SOILS AFFECT THE LOCAL BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT
The Local Biological Characteristics
Estimate Measure
Tree Height Leaf Litter Depth
% Canopy Cover Air Temperature
Vegetation Structure Humidity
Aspect
Wind Speed and Direction
Light Intensity
Dominant Plant SpeciesWe can gather first-hand data on dominant plants by examining plant abundance. Abundance refers to the number of species in a given area. This may involve counting actual species but if the area is too large, sample plots or quadrats are used.
Abundance = number of plant species (c) X 100 total number of plants counted in the quadrat
eg: 3 paperbarks X 100 = 25% relative abundance 12 plants
PLANT NAME TOTAL COUNTED IN QAUDRAT 1 ABUNDANCE
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
Total No. of Plants Counted
Constructing a Soil Micromonolith
Soil Profile Number ________________ Slope ___________________________________
Location __________________________________________________________________
Sketch your soil profile, label the layers or horizons and record the data.
HORIZONS PROFILE SKETCH DATA
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Organic Layer
Top Soil Layer
Subsoil Layer
Geological Layer
Contents of layers above top soil (if existing)Litter _______________________________Humus ______________________________Total depth of layer above top soil ________
Top Soil (A horizon)Depth ___________ in (cm) to _________ in (cm)Colour ___________________Texture: sandy loamy clayeyStructure: platy blocky prismatic spheroidalpH ____________Temperature_________Plant roots visible ___________
Subsoil (B horizon)Depth ___________ in (cm) to _________ in (cm)Colour ___________________Texture: sandy loamy clayeyStructure: columnar blocky platey granularpH ____________Plant roots visible ___________
Parent Material (C horizon)Depth ___________ in (cm) to _________ in (cm)Colour ___________________Texture: sandy loamy clayeyStructure: columnar blocky platey granularpH ____________Plant roots visible ___________
The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
Describe type of rock in the bedrock (if present) ___________________________________
Are peds evident? (Peds are clumps of grains of the soil) _________________________________________________________________________
Salinity: Is salinity present at this site? __________________________________________
If present, how can we account for this?_________________________________________
Types of Erosion
Assigning an Erosion Risk Class
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
Erosion Risk
Class 1 =Total Score -10 to +1
Low Erosion Risk - bank naturally not prone to serious erosion
Class 2 =Total Score +2 to +7
Medium Erosion Risk - bank has the capacity for serious erosion unless managed
Class 1 =Total Score +8 to +20
High Erosion Risk - bank is highly susceptible to erosion even under natural conditions. It requires careful management to help reduce erosion.
Survey Recording Form – Water Quality TestingSite Visited:Test Result Relevance and threshold valuespH pH is a measure of the Hydrogen ion concentration [or
acid]in a water body. It is measured on a scale from 1 – 14. The measures from 1-6 on the pH scale are acidic. 7 is neutral and levels of pH of 8 – 14 are known as alkaline conditions.Threshold range 6.5 – 8. Below 5 or above 9 is extreme
Temperature The colder the water the more gas it can hold ie. Cold water will hold more oxygen than hot water. Cold water though can affect the metabolic rate of all macro-invertebrates and micro organisms. Larger organisms such as fish can use the high oxygen content to voraciously look for food and thus increase their metabolism in cold water. Range from 0 – 35oC can be expected and found
Oxygen Oxygen is used by water animals like fish and invertebrates. Algae produces oxygen and animals ,and decay organisms, use it up. The percentage saturation of the water is important as it tells you how much potential oxygen the water is carrying at a specific temperature. The lower the percentage the harder it is for water animals to breathe. The Colder the water the more oxygen the water can holdThreshold values between 85 -110% acceptable
Salinity The Oceans of the World started out as Freshwater. Over time the salts that have washed into the ocean have built up as salt does not evaporate with water There are 2 measures of salt content one is conductivity –the more salt the more electricity the water can conduct, threshold of 200 – 300uS/cm or you can measure TDS [Total Dissolve Solids] threshold value of 135 – 200mg/l.
Turbidity Is a measure of the suspended material in the water. Water colour [tannins] does not have a significant effect on light penetration but suspended material does. It reduces light and heat penetration, can lead to stratification and gill clogging in fish. Threshold value of 6 – 50 NTU. Recreational waters should be clear enough to see 1.2 metres into the water
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The Local Environment Earth & Environmental Science
Phosphates Australia is a phosphorus deficient environment. Phosphorus is the nutrient that favours the growth of Blue Green Algae. Most washing powders have reduced or removed phosphorus due to this environmental problemThreshold values : above 0.05mg/l potential algal blooms
Nitrogen – 3 formsNitrateNitriteAmmonium
Is the basis of all proteins and is found in urine/urea. Decomposition of dead organic matter will release Ammonia which breaks down to nitrite and then nitrateThreshold values Ammonium 0.02mg/lNitrates 0.04mg/l Above these values excessive plant growth may occur, particularly algae
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