1. DaNdEnOnG RaNgEs National Park BY SLAVKAH POPOVSKA BY SLAVKAH POPOVSKA MAY,2008 MAY,2008

2. Silvan Reservoir Cardinia Reservoir Mt Dandenong (Dandenong Ranges National Park) MELBOURNE Altona Williamstown Silvan Road Olinda Road Olinda Sassafras PORT PHILLIP BAY N S EW

3. Messmate forest environment Messmate forest environment The rain allows growing of vegetation, what makes the Biosphere the most dominant sphere-75% Hydrosphere-during autumn/winter the hydrosphere is more dominant (more rainfalls)- 15% Dominant Lithosphere (soil and rocks) allow vegetation to grow and animals to live- 10%

4. Spheres Work Together Plants and trees provide food and shelter for animals Hydrosphere (rain) help plants to grow) Lithosphere helps plants to grow. The more fertile the soil the more plants will grow Atmosphere changes due to the processes of photosynthesis (Plants absorb CO 2 and release O 2 ), evaporation and respiration.

5. Soil organisms decompose leaves into carbon which is taken up by the tree as nutrients CO 2 is taken by the leaves from the air In the process of photosynthesis carbon is turned into starch.O 2 and water are released into the air. Leaves fall down from trees Rain falls on the ground The roots of the tree absorb the ground water

6. 2.CO2 absorbed by trees 3.Leaves fall on the forest floor 4.Soil organisms decompose litter into carbon 5.Trees take up carbon and water in its system (needed for the process of photosynthesis) 5.Carbon is turned into starch 6.As products of the process of photosynthesis O2 and water are released 1.H2O is released 3.Water comes down in form of rain, snow or hail O2 is released during the day and absorbed during night 7.At night trees give off C2 as CO2 4.Water is absorbed by plants 1.C2 from animal respiration 2.Water vapour

7. Bushfire change the forest environment. It clears up the forest floor, making space for new plants to grow. It is also good for pods that need heat in order to open. Trees get burned what makes the biosphere less dominant and the space covered with the canopy of trees is reduced what increases the light availability, which is good for the regrowth of new plants. Bushfires also make the soil more fertile. After the bushfire more space is available for new plants and more light is coming in the lower storey what helps them grow. Before the bushfire tall trees were growing in this area, the soil wasn’t as fertile, and there was less light availability. ChangeS DuE To BushfireS

8. FERN GULLY The Fern Gully environment is different to the Messmate forest environment. The Humidity (hydrosphere) is more dominant than in the Messmate environment. The light availability is less, as ferns are sensitive to light. The temperature where we found them was around 8 0 and the slope was around 80 o. From the spheres the most dominant is Biosphere (around 70%). The hydrosphere takes part of 25%, and the lithosphere around 5%.

9. In the past there were much more ferns. When the road was build many of them were cut down. Over time with erosion the ferns will go down the slope Current position of the ferns -CHANGES IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENT- In autumn and winter the ferns are greener. Ferns are very sensitive to water availability and light exposure. With people building houses in this are many ferns are being destroyed.

10. Impact On:Fuel Reduction BurnsBushfire Disaster Native flora (Plants) By doing this, we are getting rid of the fuel in the leaves (prevent excessive build up of fuels). It also clears up the forest what allows new plants to grow. It helps the regrowth of plants (pyrophytes), but if it is not placed under control it might cause lot of damage (example the Ash Wednesday fires) Native fauna (Animals) If the fuel reduction burns get out of control it might kill animals. But it also helps the regrowth of plants what helps them get more food. In Bushfire disasters many native animals get killed. Sensitive or endangered species If it is well controlled it helps the regrowth of endangered plants especially the pyrophytes. As for the animals it will provide more food. It might help sensitive type of plants to grow, but it also can destroy them as well as the endangered fauna. Human residents Usually it doesn’t affect human residents (except that the air that we breathe becomes more polluted from the smoke) If the fire isn’t controlled and people aren’t evacuated on time a bushfire leads to human deaths. Property The chances of property being lost or damaged are relatively small. Bushfire disasters might destroy farming land, houses.

11. Effectiveness of fuel reduction strategies I think that fuel reduction strategies work very effectively in preventing bushfires. It also clears up the forest floor, allowing new things to grow. But if it is not treated carefully the fuel reduction can cause a major fire what might cause a lot of damage (human deaths, property loss). I think that fuel reduction strategies work very effectively in preventing bushfires. It also clears up the forest floor, allowing new things to grow. But if it is not treated carefully the fuel reduction can cause a major fire what might cause a lot of damage (human deaths, property loss).

12. Plans… *Firewood and flammable fuels to be stored well away from the house *Every household should have an accessible ‘fire-cupboard’ *Beware that during summer the risk of bushfires is increased *Make sure there are at least two ways in and out of the hose No animals are permitted in the National Park

13. BUFFER ZONE STRENGHTS: The buffer zone limits human activity around the Silvan Dam, preventing pollution of the water. The Silvan Dam is surrounded by trees which act as natural filter, so when the water enters the dam it is clear. WEAKNESSES: The fence around the Silvan Dam is not high enough so it doesn’t prevent trespassing and polluting of the dam by visitors. Rain falls on the ground Trees and grass act like filter and clear the water Silvan Dam water has high clearness

14. Advantages and disadvantages AdvantagesDisadvantages Water available during times of droughtTrees and plants get destroyed More water for drinkingAnimals get killed More water for watering our gardensChange of natural environment More water for farmingUnknown outcomes as result of changing the microclimate In case water restrictions have to be introduced they won’t be as tough as now Costs a lot of money

15. 1.I did get enough data in the field and that helped me to finish my report and answer the questions. 2.I enjoyed being in forest environment, looking at the different types of plants and learning new things about the forests. 3.I least liked that it took us around three hours to get there and come back, what left us with less time to spend in the Dandenong Ranges. 4.I think a bit more bushwalking would have been good, if the weather conditions allowed that.

16. www.google.com.au/maps www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Dandenong Ranges National Park Fieldwork Booklet Bushfire Booklet BibLioGraPhy

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