Module 3 (adapations) and module 4 (population dynamics)
A fieldwork excursion is a great way to inspire students for a depth study. This excursion contributes 5 hours to a depth study. When you book we will send you digital resources to help support pre and post learning and a depth study back in the classroom.
A visit to the Royal National Park can support a range of depth studies, such as:
- How will climate change impact the mangrove/rock platform ecosystem?
- Can the Royal National Park sustain a koala population?
- Should they reintroduce the spotted quoll to the Royal National Park?
- What is the impact of plastic waste on marine ecosystems?
- How has bushfire impacted the heath/woodland ecosystem?
Key syllabus outcomes:
A student:
- communicates scientific understanding using suitable language and terminology for a specific audience or purpose BIO11-7
- describes biological diversity by explaining the relationships between a range of organisms in terms of specialisation for selected habitats and evolution of species BIO11-10
- analyses ecosystem dynamics and the interrelationships of organisms within the ecosystem BIO11-11
Inquiry questions:
- How do adaptations increase the organism's ability to survive?
- What effect can one species have on the other species in a community?
- How can human activity impact on an ecosystem?
Learning activities may include:
- Observe the structural, physiological and behavioural adaptations of plants and animals
- Observe animals as relevant to the ecosystem, e.g. bird watching, dipnetting for macroinvertebrates, invertebrate search, capture and release of crabs or rock platform species
- Use scientific equipment to measure a range of abiotic factors relevant to the ecosystem, such as: temperature, humidity, salinity, soil pH, water pH, sunlight intensity, wind speed and direction
- Observe examples of the impact of biotic factors, including predation, competition and symbiotic relationships
- Complete food chains to summarise observed feeding interdependencies
- Use random quadrats to estimate the population of one plant and one animal species
- Complete a transect to determine distribution of species across the ecosystem
- Observe and summarise impacts of human activity on the ecosystem
Excursion sites:
We run biology excursions in a range of ecosystems and locations; some sites are accessible by public transport. Locations include:
- Mangroves (Bonnie Vale)
- Rock Platforms (Shelley Beach, Bundeena, Shelly Park Beach, Cronulla, OR Sandon Point, Bulli)
- Rainforest (Bola Creek)
- Woodlands (Honeymoon Track OR Karloo Pool)
- Heath (Wattamolla or Winfred Falls)