Overview
Ecosystem Exploration - Aquatic is a whole day program in which students take on the role of an Environmental Officer to analyse how biotic and abiotic factors can influence the biodiversity of a local aquatic ecosystem.
Within Toohey Forest, significant threats to the aquatic ecosystem include invasive species (e.g. cane toads, mosquito fish) and changes in abiotic factors (e.g. turbidity, salinity) resulting from severe weather events. These threats have the potential to influence the biodiversity of the local area.
While investigating these interactions, students use dip nets to collect aquatic macro-invertebrates and small vertebrate species from Mimosa Creek. At the EcoCentre, students will apply their knowledge of classification to assemble a dichotomous key and identify the specimens in the water samples.
To enhance their understanding of feeding relationships and how they are impacted by invasive species, students construct and interpret a food web for Mimosa Creek.
The program concludes with students justifying their environmental assessment score for Mimosa Creek.
Ecosystem Exploration - Aquatic has been assessed as medium risk. A Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment (CARA) is available on request. A student field booklet will be provided upon confirmation of your booking.
Curriculum Intent
Science Understanding
- Investigate the role of classification in ordering and organising the diversity of life on Earth and use and develop classification tools including dichotomous keys (AC9S7U01)
- Use models, including food webs, to represent matter and energy flow in ecosystems and predict the impact of changing abiotic and biotic factors on populations (AC9S7U02)
Science Inquiry
- Select and construct appropriate representations, including tables, graphs, models and mathematical relationships, to organise and process data and information (AC9S7I04)
- Analyse data and information to describe patterns, trends and relationships and identify anomalies (AC9S7I05)
Science as a Human Endeavour
- Explain how new evidence or different perspectives can lead to changes in scientific knowledge (AC9S7H01)
- Investigate how cultural perspectives and world views influence the development of scientific knowledge (AC9S7H02)