Module 4: Ecosystem dynamics - Depth study

Geographical inquiry questions

• What effect can one species have on the other species in a community?

Outcomes

• Develops and evaluates questions and hypotheses for scientific investigation BIO11/12-1
• Designs and evaluates investigations in order to obtain primary and secondary data and information BIO11/12-2- 
• Conducts investigations to collect valid and reliable primary and secondary data and information BIO11/12-3
• Selects and processes appropriate qualitative and quantitative data and information using a range of appropriate media BIO11/12-4
• Analyses and evaluates primary and secondary data and information BIO11/12-5
• Analyses ecosystem dynamics and the interrelationships of organisms within the ecosystem BIO11-11

Content

• Population Dynamics
• Future Ecosystems

Cross Curriculum Priorities

• Sustainability

Activity 1 - Abiotic components of the ecosystem

Students use scientific field testing equipment to assess various abiotic parameters of the local ecosystem.

Activity 2 - Vegetation transect and habitat assessment 

Students use our site-specific dichotomous key iBook to identify plant species and graph them along a transect. Students conduct a habitat assessment of the local ecosystem.

Activity 3 - Nest box camera survey

Students use a map and GPS to navigate to a selection of our species-specific nest boxes. They then use innovative remote cameras to view inside nest boxes and record use or evidence of use.

Activity 4 - Camera traps and human impacts

Students view, analyse and record footage from our wildlife camera traps and conduct a human impacts assessment of the bush. If time allows, students can upload data to the Atlas of Living Australia citizen science database.

Pre and post-excursion lessons are available on our excursion page.

Click image below to access the Google site. Please ensure students have completed the pre-excursion tasks on this site before their excursion at Brewongle EEC.

Student workbook