Week 9
Can conservation efforts accommodate urban development while minimizing ecological impact?
Can conservation efforts accommodate urban development while minimizing ecological impact?
Classify organisms into the five biological kingdoms using their observable characteristics.
How scientific technologies are used to monitor and conserve ecosystems.
I can identify and classify organisms into the 5 Kingdoms
I can identify at least one way scientific technology is used in the conservation of ecosystems.
Knowledge & understanding
Classify organisms into the 5 Kingdoms while on the excursion
Literacy & research
Excursion to Mulligan's Flat
Knowledge and understanding
Investigation skills
Literacy & research
The Jerrabomberra Wetlands are the ACT’s largest and probably best known wetlands. They cover an area of 174 hectares including deep open waters, reed beds, marshlands and drowned grasslands. The wetland depressions comprise flooded old Molonglo River channels across the Dairy Flat floodplain. The bed of the wetlands links into an extensive sand aquifer across Dairy Flat.
Prior to the flooding of the Molonglo River, a large section of the wetlands would have formed an ephemeral floodplain. The construction of Lake Burley Griffin has elevated water levels in the Dairy Flat aquifer, maintaining permanent water in the wetlands. The wetlands consist of the Jerrabomberra Billabong, Kelly’s Swamp, Jerrabomberra Pool, Jerrabomberra Reach and Jerrabomberra Backwaters and the Fyshwick Sewerage Treatment Ponds.
Jerrabomberra is listed on the Australian Directory of Important Wetlands for its significant bird habitat. One hundred and seventy different birds have been recorded in the wetlands and in nearby planted woodlands and grasslands. It is regarded as a regionally important bird refuge during prolonged dry periods in Canberra.
The wetlands have a range of aquatic plants (Myriophyllum, Potamogeton) and stands of cane grass and bulrush as well as the locally rare reed (Schoenoplectus mucronatus). Latham’s Snipe utilises the wetland together with Platypus (Ornithorhyncus anatinus), Eastern Water Rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) and Eastern Snake-necked Turtle (Chelodina longicollis). The wetlands are adversely impacted by feral rabbits and weeds including Willow and Blackberry.
Due to its proximity to Canberra, the wetlands are regarded as an excellent education resource. The wetlands are widely used by ornithologists and for walking and cycling.
Sound quality is poor - but watch with subtitles on