Senior Science

Local Environment

Name

587 Chapel Hill Road Sackville North

NSW 2756 Phone: 4579 1136

Fax: 4579 1072www.brewongle-e.schools.nsw.edu.au

Health and Safety IssuesAs you are working out in the field you need to be aware that:

Ground material is often covered in moss and can be very slippery. Vines and dense undergrowth can trip. Fallen trees can be rotten and weak. Some animals can deliver painful or venomous bites. On slopes, rocks can be easily dislodged. Edges of wetlands can be quite deep and muddy.

Preliminary Course Outcomes covered by the Field WorkP2 Applies the processes that are used to test and validate models, theories and law of science, with

particular emphasis on first-hand investigations.

P3 Assess the impact of particular technological advances on science.

P4 Identifies applications of Science that affect society and the

environment. P7 Explains relationships between organisms in the environment.

P10 Describes the effect of energy transfers and transformations.

P12 Discusses the validity and reliability of data gathered from first-hand investigations and secondary outcomes.

P14 Draws valid conclusions from gathered data and information.

P15 Implements strategies to work effectively as an individual or as a member of a team.

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.

History of the Study SiteThe 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) and Grey Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia)

PHYS

ICAL

CHEM

ICAL

BIO

LOGI

CAL

Factors Determining Distribution & Abundance of Species in the Environment

AspectLight Temperature Topography AltitudeSoil TypeSpace for Shelter& Nesting Sites

Available WaterpH Minerals OxygenCarbon Dioxide

FoodMates Competitors Predators Disease Shelter Nesting Sites

1. Why do we need to find out about the distribution and abundance of species in this environment?

2. How do we determine what factors have been involved in shaping this environment?

_

Concluding Questions1. Are there any factors (physical, chemical, biological) which stand out as

significantly influencing the type and number of flora and fauna in this local environment?

2. Are there any environmental issues affecting the sustainability or integrity of this environment? Is so, what are some strategies to resolve them?

Survey Recording FormAbiotic Components

Physical & Chemical Characteristics Along the Transect

Method Site 1 Site 2 Site 3

Soil

Temperature Remove the cover from the thermometer and place probe in soil.

Colour Rub fore fingers on ground & colour in the worksheet section

pHStep 1-Place soil on white tray with spoonStep 2-Place 2-3 drops of universal indicator over the sample Step 3-Sprinkle barium sulphate on sampleStep 4-Use colour chart to assess pH level

Texture See notes on pink laminated sheet

Leaf Litter Depth Place trowel into leaf litter. Take measurement from centre of trowel

Air

Temperature Use the temperature meter

% MoistureUse hygrometer.Step 1-Read dry bulb temperature Step 2-Read wet bulb temperatureStep 3-Calculate difference between wet & dry bulb temperatures Use chart in centre to assess relative humidity

Light IntensityUse lux meter. 1 lux = light of one candle per square meter.Turn on to x100 & take a reading from waist height (add two zeros to your reading)

Geography

Slope Use clinometer. (blue colour) (in degrees)

AspectUse compass.Step 1-Assess where north isStep 2-Assess direction of transect line

Elevation Will be given to you

Lithology Assess the rock type observed

Changing Environments Carbon Store Measure the circumference of 3 trees 150cm from the ground.

Use the tree carbon calculator provided to record the carbon store.

Abiotic Results – interpretation sheet Site 1H=Healthy

U=Unhealthy

Site 2H=Healthy

U=Unhealthy

Site 3H=Healthy

U=Unhealthy

Soil

Temperature What would soil temperature influence?

Salinity 0ppm = unhealthy 0-140ppm = healthy >140ppm = unhealthy

pH 1 – 5.5 = unhealthy 5.5 – 8 = healthy 8 – 12 = unhealthy

Texture How would the texture influence vegetation?Leaf

Litter <1cm = unhealthy 2 – 3cm = adequate 3cm & above = healthy

You will need to use internet resources like the Bureau of Meteorology to answer some of the following

Air

Temperature What is the average temperature range for the month for Sackville North? Does your recorded temperature fit within the average?

Light Intensity<100 lux = very dark day Full daylight = ~10,000 lux Bright sunlight = ~100,000 luxDid your lux readings vary as you moved along the transect? Why?

Geography

Slope How would the slope influence vegetation?

Aspect How would the aspect of the slope change the type of vegetation?

ElevationDoes the vegetation change as you move up the slope?Why/why not?

Lithology Why are we interested in the type of rock observed?

TREE

S

Trees 1 - 3 large trees (> 6m)1

One or more treesnative to Australia 2

One or more treesnative to your

local area2

Healthy TreeCanopy / Plant

FoliageHealthy

2

SHRUBSShrubs None

0

Native Shrubs None0

Gro

und

Cov

ers Ground Cover None

0Native Grassesand Spreading

Plants2

LimbHollows

1Some

1Some

1Some

1Some

1

Fallen LogHollows

1Most

2Most

2Most

2Most

2

WATER Pond/Water Yes1

FOOD Plants with Fruits/ Seeds

None0

HABITAT SPACE

Plants of Different Ages

None0

SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE

Joined or Locatedto Other Gardens / Bush by Gardens /

Bush

Yes1

Habitat Element

HABITAT ASSESSMENTSITE

1SITE

2SITE

3

More than 5 large trees2

Moderately Healthy

1

Some1

Some1

Defoliation Evident

0

Most2

Most2

Evidence of Dieback

0

Some1 Most

2

SHEL

TER

HollowsButt

Hollows1

Rocks & Crevices None0

Leaf Litter None0

Loose Bark(attached or shed)

None0

Logs & FallenBranches

None0

No0

Some1 Most

2

Some1 Most

2

No0

TOTAL SCORE / 33A 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.

Sources: Gould Group - Backyard for Learning. Rumbulara EEC. Catchment Management Authority - CRAM Project,Windsor. Southeast Queensland Fire & Biodiversity Consortium-Fire & Biodiversity Monitoring Manual.

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 animportant 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.

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 EECCRAM Project – CMA,Windsor

Human Impacts on a Vegetation CommunityThere are many ways in which a vegetation community can be disturbed and each disturbance can have a varying degree of impact.

Observe the vegetation community around you to complete the following checklist.

1. Has the soil been disturbed by;None (o) minor (1) major (2)

erosion (sheet, rill, gully) mining of soil, clay or sand dumping of rubbish/garden waste bushrock collection access roads, paths or tracks

2. Has the vegetation been disturbed by;None (o) minor (1) major (2)

weed invasion logging past clearing off road vehicle use nutrient/sewage seepage

from adjacent farmland

3. Is the site;No (0) Yes (2)

adjacent to an urban area adjacent to recreational facilities showing evidence of feral animals

Sc o re: Poor = 21 – 30Average = 11 – 20 Recorded score:Good = 0 - 10

Observe as many alterations to the vegetation community at the study site.Alteration Environmental Impact

SITE SURVEYLocation

Date

Time

Brief Description – Site 1

Brief Description – Site 2

Site 1 Site 2 Site 1 Site 2TYPE OF WATER BODY LAST RAINRiver / Stream 24 hoursDrainage Channel 2 - 4 daysSmall Dam 1 – 2 weeksPond Month or more

DRAINS OR INTO THE WATER AMOUNT OF RAINRiver HeavyCreek ModerateDrains / Pipes LightDitch

WATER APPEARANCEBANKS AND SLOPES ClearSteep Cloudy / MurkyModerate MuddyGentle ScummyFlat Smelly

Frothy / FoamyBANK COVER OilyStoneSandy WATER FLOWSoil / Bare Earth StillGrass SlowForest / Woodland ModerateScattered Trees FastOther

AQAUTIC PLANTSADJACENT LAND USES In water and at the edgeBushland SubmergedRural EmergentLandfill FloatingMining / Quarrying AlgaePark / Recreation IntroducedRoad / RailCommerce / Industry EXTENT OF PLANTSResidential Dense

ModerateLITTER / POLLUTION LightCars / Old GoodsPlastic / Glass / CansPaperPolystyreneAnimal WastePlant WasteSoil SedimentOil

Aerial Map of

N

Include: Direction of North Surrounding

Landforms Adjacent Land

Uses

Title Key Inflow and

Outflow Points

Dam Walls

Surrounding Vegetation

Rough Scale

SURVEY RECORDING FORMWater Quality Testing

Test Result 1 Result 2 Relevance

pH A pH value between 6.5 and 8.5 is within an ideal range. Below 5 or above 10 is considered extreme.

Temperature

Temperature affects the ability of water to hold oxygen and the metabolic rate of growth of organisms.Lower temperatures have the potential to retain more oxygen and slow the metabolic rate of growth.

SalinityA level of 146ppm is considered fresh water, 350ppm is considered brackish and 1900ppm significantly inhibits the growth of many freshwater organisms.

Turbidity

Levels below 30 NTU (ppm) are considered acceptable,levels above 100ppm are extreme.Turbidity reduces the penetration of light and heat possibly affecting bottom dwelling plants, increasing stratification of temperature and clogging the gills of animals.

Oxygen

Levels of 6ppm or above are considered acceptable.Levels below 2 are extreme.Oxygen levels are affected by the density of aquatic life, decay of plants and animals and the amount of

Phosphate

Levels of 0.015ppm or less are accepted as naturalbackground.Levels above this indicate additional nutrients are entering the system and indicate some form of human impact.World health standards for safe drinking water are 5ppm.

NitratesLevels of 0.01ppm are considered natural background.Above 1ppm for ammonia is toxic to aquatic animals.

(nitrate, World health standards for total nitrates is 5ppm.nitrite, These compounds contribute to excessive growth of

ammonia) aquatic plants including algae.

Type of Local Environment

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3

Tree Height

% Canopy Cover

Vegetation Structure

Physical and Chemical Data Collection

Measure Site 1 Site 2 Site 3

Soil

Soil Colour

Soil Temperature

Leaf Litter Depth

AirTemperature

Light Intensity

Geography

Aspect

Slope

Elevation

Changing Local Environments

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3

Carbon store of trees