1.2.2- Ways of Knowing Natural Environments

Ways of knowing natural environments Australia has a wide variety of climates and environmental conditions. Landscapes vary from flat arid areas, to tropical areas, temperate areas, to alpine areas. The range of landscapes experienced at Wilsons Prom are a great example of this. We come to know natural environments in many different ways... Experiential, historical, ecological, social, and economic.

Key Concept There are different ways that humans relate to natural environments. The different ways to encounter and understand a specific natural environment visited are… Ecological perspectives Social and historical perspectives Economical perspectives As a tourist Through experience (experientially)

Ecological perspectives Australia used to be part of a larger landmass called “Gondwana”. It broke up over millions of years and through a process called ‘Continental Drift’, the continents drifted away from each other.

Ecological perspectives Australia used to be situated in the Antarctic circle until approximately 50 million years ago. As it drifted from a cold dry location into warmer and wetter climate, the flora (plant life) and fauna (animal life) adapted. We come to know natural environments from an ecological perspective by knowing their unique physical features. Copy table 1.8 on page 43, complete activity 1.35

Ecosystem Special feature Animals Plants Alps Grasslands Heathlands Mallee Dry forest/woodlands Wet forest/rain forest Coast Inland waters/wetlands Intertidal/rocky shores Subtidal rocky reefs Seagrass beds Beaches/ soft substrates Pelagic Living areas (human) Agricultural areas

Social and historical perspectives To properly understand Australia’s changing landscape we must understand its history. The Wurundjeri-willam people were the original owners of the land around Melbourne. It was these people who “negotiated” the treaty with John Batman that gave him ownership of Melbourne in 1835.

Social and historical perspectives The early Europeans used the land to support their families and hoped to be more comfortable and better off than back in their home countries. They used the land as a resource by ... Clearing forests Building houses Planting crops Grazing cattle and sheep Mining Logging Fishing

Economical perspectives In Australia’s society there is a constant debate about the economy and its impact on the environment. Technological advances have improved… Communications Farming Production Manufacturing

Economical perspectives The industries’ gluttonous approach to energy consumption and “throw away” (instead of recycle) attitude have severely impacted on our natural environments. Natural resources have been and continue to be exploited, some almost to extinction (sealing). Tasmania’s forests provide the economy with.. Forest management Harvesting Haulage Saw milling Timber processing and the manufacture of wood products

Economical perspectives Watch “the story of stuff” Learning Activity 1.38 Find out why the following natural resources are important for society and the economy. Forests Water Fisheries Minerals What is a ‘sustainable industry’? Identify a natural resource industry that is sustainable - explain your answer.

As a tourist The tourism industry provides ample opportunities for people to experience places through various different means e.g. sight seeing, activities, guided tours. Do you think that a city tourist on a bus, who does a day-trip knows Wilsons Promontory as well as you do?

Through experience (experientially) “I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand” Actively engaging in situations that will have real consequences. Learning by doing, as apposed to just reading about, looking at photographs and studying maps. (superficial knowledge) To properly understand an environment you must immerse yourself within it and build a relationship with it. (why we do practical excursions)

Through experience (experientially) Think about your understanding of a Natural Environment, when we experience we can think about the following when understanding how we know this place: What does the ground feel/look like? What does the water feel/taste/look like? Which way does the wind blow? What is the temperature like? How does it sound when you're in your tent? How does it feel to move through this environment?