Ecosystems at risk

Introduction

This website supports the Stage 6 Geography Ecosystems at Risk topic –Rainforests case study.

The focus is a state-wide investigation into the key threatening processes affecting the rainforest ecosystems of NSW. This includes the increased threat of a changing climate and a projected increase in fire intensity, frequency and extent. It addresses the challenges of how land managers plan to manage the rainforests into the future.

Key inquiry questions

• Why are the rainforests of NSW at risk?

• How will these rainforest ecosystems be managed in the future?

Links to the NSW Syllabus

Outcomes - H1, H2, H5, H6, H7, H8, H9, H10, H11, H12, H13

Content - One case study of an ecosystem at risk - Rainforests: their unique characteristics, the human impacts which influence them and traditional and contemporary management practices.

Website content

The website provides:

• an examination of NSW rainforest types and the unique characteristics of each.

• a description of fieldwork skills and methodologies that can be used to investigate rainforests.

• an investigation into the nature and rate of change affecting NSW rainforest ecosystems including a review into the impacts of the 2019-2020 Black Summer fires on the rainforest areas.

• an examination of future management strategies for rainforest ecosystems in NSW.

Rainforest investigations

The rainforests in NSW are diverse in their size and nature. They are areas of ecological, economic and social importance. They provide a range of services including vital habitat to threatened species, air quality, hydrological services including maintaining water quality, regenerating and protecting soil, recycling nutrients, carbon storage and sequestration, tourism and recreation and hold historical, cultural and heritage value.

Their importance and their increasing status as areas at risk combine to provide students an excellent investigation into rainforests as an ecosystems at risk.

Primary research

The abundance of rainforest types distributed along the east coast of NSW provides opportunities for students to engage in primary research through fieldwork.

• Locate a suitable rainforest site for geographic fieldwork. Follow the steps for fieldwork inquiry.

• Contact the NSW Department of Education Environmental and Zoo Education Centres for more information on fieldwork opportunities.

Secondary research

Many online resources can be found to support the study of rainforests in NSW.

• Under the Canopy (PDF) produced by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (Third edition published May 2015) is a useful resource for examining rainforest ecosystems and their functioning.

• NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment - Rainforests.

• Australian Government Department of Agriculture, water and the environment - Australia forest profiles - Rainforest.

References and further reading can be found in Resources.