Biology Field Trip Wilsons Promontory Melinda Kelly

VCE Biology Curriculum Unit 2: Organisms and their environment Area of Study 1: Adaptations of organisms Outcome 1: Students should be able to explain and analyse the relationship between environmental factors, and adaptations and distribution of living things. VCE Study Design VCAA

Year 11 Biology Wilsons Promontory Field Trip Study of Habitats We will be studying three different habitats. Tidal wetlands Heathland – burnt by controlled burns 3 years ago Heathland – burnt by the February 2009 natural fires Norman Bay Wilsons Promontory

Summary of Field Trip TimeActivityWhere 10.30amMeet the rangerEducation Centre Tidal River 11.00amTidal WetlandsWalk from Education Centre to Norman Bay. From Norman Bay walk along Tidal River to the board walk, walk along boardwalk and back to car park pmLunchLunch at picnic tables at Tidal River 1.30pmHeathland – Lilly Pilly walkWalk towards the Lilly Pilly carpark observing Heath land along the way (this Heath land was control burnt 3 years ago). Take quadrant samples along the way. (4 per group) 2.30pmHeathland – Lilly Pilly carparkWalk from the Lilly Pilly carpark towards the rainforest. This heathland was burnt in the 2009 natural fires. Take quadrants. (4 per group) 3.30pmHome

Resources Required Paper Pencil Clipboard Assignment sheet Warm clothes, suitable footwear Raincoat Lunch Drink Sunscreen Camera The following will be supplied by the ranger. Quadrant Laminated flora identification cards maps Common Heath

1.Describe the habitat, its location, special features, points of interest. 2.What species (animals, plants) are present? What can you see, what can you hear, is there evidence of animals present (eg. scats, burrows, quadrant sampling) 3.Describe the main abiotic and biotic factors. Are there any symbiotic relationships? 4.Discuss adaptations and the structure of species (why and how they live where they do). 5.Discuss special features of plants and animals that enables them to survive and regenerate after fire. 6.What pest species are present, how are they controlled? 7.How are populations monitored, controlled and restored? 8.Draw a transect and vertical stratification diagram for each habitat. 9.Draw a food web for each habitat. 1.Describe the habitat, its location, special features, points of interest. 2.What species (animals, plants) are present? What can you see, what can you hear, is there evidence of animals present (eg. scats, burrows, quadrant sampling) 3.Describe the main abiotic and biotic factors. Are there any symbiotic relationships? 4.Discuss adaptations and the structure of species (why and how they live where they do). 5.Discuss special features of plants and animals that enables them to survive and regenerate after fire. 6.What pest species are present, how are they controlled? 7.How are populations monitored, controlled and restored? 8.Draw a transect and vertical stratification diagram for each habitat. 9.Draw a food web for each habitat. Assessment Task: For each of the habitats you need to complete the following.

Before the field trip We will take a walk prior to the field trip and try to identify the following plants we may see at Wilsons Promontory Acacias Melaleuca Casuarina Banksia Lyptospermum Lilly Pilly Native grasses and weeds, sedges and rushes, herbs, orchids, lilies, irises Introduced species such as willows, cypress, plums, blackberry, grass. Tidal River, Wilsons Promontory

Before the field trip Know what the following bird species look like, we may see them; Cape Barron Goose Black Swan Ducks Cormorants Egret Heron Spoonbill Ibis Eagle – Wedge Tail, White Bellied Sea Purple Swamp hen Crested Pigeon Cockatoos Rainbow Lorikeet King Parrots Crimson Rosella Kingfisher Kookaburra Wrens Honeyeaters Magpie Magpie lark Pied Currawong Raven Emu Emu, Wilsons Promontory

Before the field trip We may also see or see evidence of the following animals; Wombats Wallabies Kangaroos Hog deer Wild cats Foxes Yabbies Swamp rat Insects Possums New Holland mouse The endangered New Holland Mouse Common wombat

Resources Pre and Post Field Trip The following resources may help with identification: Meagher, D. & Kohout, M A field guide to Wilsons Promontory. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Ingamells, P Discovering the Prom. East Melbourne: Victorian National Parks Association. The following resources may help with transects, adaptations, examples of biotic and abiotic factors, how plants regenerate after fire, monitoring techniques: Evans, B., Ladiges, P., McKenzie, J. & Sanders, Y Heinemann Biology 1. Port Melbourne: Harcourt Education.

Post field trip Your assignment should include: Title page Discussion and listing of; The main species is each habitat Abiotic factors Adaptations and structure of species Transect and stratification diagrams Special features relating to fire survival and regeneration Biotic factors Pest species Endangered species Population control Food web diagrams for each habitat Conclusion and general discussion Title page Discussion and listing of; The main species is each habitat Abiotic factors Adaptations and structure of species Transect and stratification diagrams Special features relating to fire survival and regeneration Biotic factors Pest species Endangered species Population control Food web diagrams for each habitat Conclusion and general discussion

Boardwalk: Wilsons Promontory Tidal Wetlands

References Evans, B., Ladiges, P., McKenzie, J. & Sanders, Y Heinemann Biology 1. Port Melbourne: Harcourt Education. Ingamells, P Discovering the Prom. East Melbourne: Victorian National Parks Association. Meagher, D. & Kohout, M A field guide to Wilsons Promontory. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.