Students examine Minnamurra River as a case study, investigating the biophysical components via canoe at a range of sites to illustrate how an understanding of biophysical processes contributes to sustainable management in the environment.
Image: Mangrove seedlings at high tide
The investigation will include:
identification and explanation of the key biophysical processes which relate to the issue
scale of operation
interactions with other components of the biophysical environment
the sensitivity of the biophysical environment to change
the importance of understanding key biophysical processes for effective management
Inquiry and focus questions
What are the biophysical interactions which occur between components of the biophysical environment?
What are the effects of human impacts on the functioning of the hydrosphere?
How is the biophysical environment changing in response to climatic variations?
Supporting resources
Follow the links for supporting resources for teachers and students.
Unit of work with pre and post excursion resources and assessment task
the nature and functioning of the four components: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere in a specific biophysical environment including:
operation of the water cycle and the role of water in geomorphological processes
parent material, slope processes, weathering, mass movements, erosion, transport and deposition, and the fluvial, aeolian and/or coastal geomorphological processes
the variety and distribution of plants and animals and soil formation
the interactions between, and the human impacts on, the functioning of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere
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