YEAR 11 - YEAR 12 - 2 Classes max/day
FULL DAY PROGRAM
9.15am - 2.15pm
Curriculum Links
- Geography IA2
- QCAA Geography General Senior Syllabus 2019 & 2025 version 1.1
- Sustainability
High Impact Pedagogies
- Set in context – Bunyaville Conservation Park
- Inquiry
- Hands on
- ArcGIS – Survey123
Students investigate the impact of a landcover transformation (powerline clearance) on the natural environment of Bunyaville Conservation Park. Geographical and anthropogenic processes are evaluated in order to assess local pressures on the site.
Landcover transformation focus: Habitat clearance due to powerlines
Main impact being studied: Weeds and their dispersal
Students collect primary data in the field by using a transect line that follows the disturbed site into the undisturbed forest. Abiotic and biotic data is collected in quadrats along the transect line to find trends and patterns across this range. Scientific equipment and geospatial technologies such as Survey123 are used to collect the data.
Students will be able to:
- Identify the geographical processes (natural and anthropogenic) that have resulted in landcover change at Bunyaville Conservation Park.
- Understand how these processes shape the identity of the Park.
- Learn how QPWS mitigates the negative impacts.
- Start to formulate solutions that will improve the sustainability of the Park.
- Collect all data required to complete their IA2.
Overview of day
Students come together at the beginning of the day introducing them to the purpose of the day, an understanding of the pressures on the Park, how it is used, and how it is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).
Students then go out to the site and collect abiotic and biotic (plants) data following a transect line from the cleared area into the forest. They collect data and consider how the anthropogenic processes have a dynamic, ongoing impact across the transect line (edge effect). Students will be able to look at trends and patterns within the data as the
transect line follows from the disturbed area into the undisturbed area of the
forest. The weed they come across most is Signal Grass (Urochloa decumbens). The students collect the data using Survey123 as well as a workbook.
Students are led on a walk through the Bunyaville Conservation Park to look at the impact of the geographical pressures (focussing particularly on weed dispersal and erosion) and the management strategies used by QPWS to try to mitigate the negative impacts.
Students come back together at the end of the day and share their data. Bunyaville teachers walk the students through the Simpsons Diversity Index, reflect on the days learning and start them thinking about their assessment.