Introduced Species - impact on coastal dunes
Year 11 Earth and Environmental Science
Location
Minnamurra Spit/ Mystics Beach
Program overview
Students begin their research with an in-class questioning and predicting work package based upon a supplied lesson plan and student work booklet, introducing their investigation of 3 local introduced species, Bitou Bush, Lantana and Asparagus Fern. The fieldwork day allows students to develop an hypothesis and conduct an investigation into the current state of the introduced species affected Coastal Dune ecosystem of Mystics Beach on Minnamurra Spit. Students investigate and apply a range of land management techniques, and collect first hand data to analyse their relative effectiveness. Back at school students may utilise their collected first hand data and extended research of secondary sources to assist the completion of a depth study outlining a potential plan of management of Mystics and Minnamurra Spit into the future.
Inquiry and focus questions
1. How do introduced species affect the Australian environment and ecosystems
Key syllabus outcomes
Earth and Environmental Science Yr 11
Human Impacts
● outline the biotic and abiotic effects of introduced species
● conduct an investigation into a local introduced species, including:
● analyse ways in which human activity can upset the balance of ecosystems and favour introduced species
describe ways in which introduced species contribute to the decline or extinction of native Australian species (ACSES081
Supporting resources
Pre-Excursion Powerpoint and Questioning and Predicting workbook.
Student Fieldwork Booklet (will be printed and supplied by the IEEC)
Sample Depth Study Assessment Task proforma
