Fieldwork Activity 1

Abiotic Components

Complete pages 5 and 6 in the student fieldwork booklet for this section.

Learning Intention

To process and analyse data collected and to understand abiotic influences on vegetation. The vegetation at Brewongle EEC is a prime component in understanding the inter-relationships of foxes and quolls.

Working Scientifically

Processing Data

Analysing Data

Data Collection sites

The following data was collected from sites 1-4 on the 27th March 2020 at 11.30am. See the map opposite for sample site locations.

The weather on the day was Max. 26C Partly cloudy. Slight (20%) chance of a morning shower. Winds southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h.

360 Camera Image

Use the 360 image above to discover where abiotic data was collected. These images show sample site 3 & 4. The transect photo below shows the location of site 1 & 2.

The portal within this image will take you to a second location. Click this link to see the 360 image in full screen. These images work well with virtual reality glasses like Google Cardboard or on a mobile phone.


Abiotic Data

Below is a sample abiotic data sheet collected at 4 different locations within the two environments shown above. Ensure you complete the interpretation sheet on page 6.


completed-abiotic-data-sheet-biology.pdf

Transect Vegetation Type and Height Data

Utilise the 36o image of a 30m transect to complete 1 diagram of a transect on page 7 of your fieldwork booklet.

You can access the full screen version here

To complete data for one transect, view the 360 image to sketch the height of each tree marked and its distance along the transect. Hand sketch this diagram and take a photo to submit in your report.

To identify the tree species:

  • please download this read only powerpoint file that will help you use a dichotomous key to identify your tree species - tree species guide. (note you will need to download the ppt file (hit download button in top right had corner of screen) as it will not work online via google docs)
  • Or download this tree species guide iBook file onto your IOS device

Vegetation Structure Assessment

Use the 360 image above to complete a canopy cover assessment - move around until you can view the canopy. Use the crown types guide below to work out the percentage canopy cover and record in your fieldwork book.

Crown Types.pdf

Once you have decided on the canopy cover percentage, combine this with the tallest tree height (23m) to work out the vegetation structure using the diagram on page 8 of your fieldwork booklet or the diagram below.

Foliage Cover of Tallest Stratum.pdf