Overview
Situated approximately 9 kilometres from Brisbane's central business district, Toohey Forest Park is experiencing significant land cover transformations due to urbanisation and land fragmentation. These anthropogenic processes are altering the forest's biophysical environment and impacting its ecological integrity.
The full-day program,
Land Fragmentation - Threat to Biodiversity, is a geographic inquiry designed to help
senior students understand the effects of land fragmentation on the spatial patterns and processes within the forest environment. Through the program, students will have the opportunity to collect primary data to examine the anthropogenic processes.
Fieldwork is integral to this program, providing students with hands-on experience in collecting geographical data to analyse. Throughout the day, students will use Vernier data loggers (soil moisture, temperature), soil pH kits, GPS devices, spatial technology, inclinometers, transects and quadrats. This primary data will then be compared to test index and scales used by Queensland Government and Environment authorities to enable students to assess the challenges impact on land cover change in Toohey Forest Park.
Further, this program will assist students to develop evidence-based recommendations for sustainable land management practices to preserve Toohey Forest's ecological integrity.
The program has been assessed as medium risk. A Curriculum Activity Risk Assessment is available on request. A student field booklet is provided upon confirmation of your booking.
Curriculum Intent
Senior Geography
Unit 3 – Responding to land cover transformations
Topic 2 – Responding to local land cover transformations
Subject matter:
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Explain the geographical processes that result in particular physical features (e.g. forest) that shape the identity of places at a local scale
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Interpret land use maps to identify where changing land cover (e.g. urbanisation) has had an impact on the biophysical environment in a local area
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Explain geographical processes that have contributed to land cover change in a local area, including anthropogenic processes, e.g. urbanisation
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Recognise the spatial changes to land cover at a local scale and represent these on maps using spatial technologies
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Explain a local land challenge using a conceptual model, e.g. threats to biodiversity
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Conduct a field study (for assessment purposes) to collect primary data for investigating a land management challenge as a result of land cover change on a local scale