Embedded Files
Two interactive photos of sites in Field of Mars Reserve, just 30 metres apart. Why is the vegetation so different?
1. Inquiry questions
1. Inquiry questions
This Field of Mars EEC virtual excursion is designed to answer three inquiry questions.
These are derived from the Earth and Environmental Science (EES) syllabus inquiry questions.
They have also been influenced by the 2019 Earth and Environmental Science HSC exam, for example:
Question 35 (9 marks)
Analyse the use of working scientifically skills in BOTH investigating major anthropogenic environmental problems facing Australia AND developing management strategies to minimise the effects of these problems. Use examples to support your answer.
Fieldwork inquiry questions
How does soil type affect the biotic and abiotic factors at different study sites?
What are the effects of introduced species on the environment in the Field of Mars Reserve?
What methodologies and data sources are required for a valid and reliable survey of sites affected by introduced species at the Field of Mars Reserve?
Take a moment to re-read and think about what these questions are asking
2. Planning notes and map
2. Planning notes and map
Transect
In this virtual fieldwork we have set out five study sites along a 100 metre transect line.
It is important to remember that a transect is usually used to systematically measure chosen variables at regular intervals along its length, however, we are not going to use the transect methodology in this way.
Representative sites
Instead of systematically measuring variables every one, two or ten metres along the line we are going to measure at five representative sites which are positioned at irregular intervals along the transect line.
We have chosen this methodology to:
provide data that best answers the fieldwork inquiry questions
limit the amount of data collected to a manageable amount
utilise the sites that photograph well for the virtual tour below.
Earth and environmental science virtual fieldwork study sitesGoogle maps
Sites 1 - 3 are remnant native vegetation sites with minor human impacts.
Sites 4 -5 have seen significant change due to human impacts. The original native vegetation has been almost fully replaced by introduced plant species.
3. Virtual sites tour
3. Virtual sites tour
These site photos are interactive.
You can click and drag to look around.
The five study sites are located along a 100m transect line.
They are spaced every 20m
Site 1 - Eroded track in Eucalyptus forest on broad ridge
Site 2 - Sandstone rock platform in Eucalyptus forest
Site 3 - Rocky track in Eucalyptus forest on lower slope
Site 4 - Eucalyptus forest above low cliff adjacent to weedy area (no track)
Site 5 - Weed thicket on lower slope near freshwater creek (old track)
4. Working scientifically
4. Working scientifically
Language of working scientifically
This virtual fieldwork is much more than just 'measuring the environment' and 'facts about rocks and ecosystems'. It has been organised around the Working Scientifically skills outcomes of the Earth and Environmental Science syllabus.
It is recommended for students to keep track of where they are in their fieldwork and investigations using the steps and language of the Working Scientifically skills outcomes diagram.
EES fieldwork video 4: Working scientificallyYouTube | Field of Mars EEC (2:00min) | Video transcript | View in Google Drive
Working scientifically diagram NESA | © 2019 NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales
5. Risk management
5. Risk management
Preparing for fieldworkYouTube | Field of Mars EEC (1:37min) | Video transcript | View in Google Drive
6. Fieldwork methods and instruments
6. Fieldwork methods and instruments
ESS fieldwork video 5: Abiotic and biotic factorsYouTube | Field of Mars EEC (2:45min) | Video transcript | View in Google Drive
Abiotic factors
Abiotic factors in the video include light intensity, air temperature, aspect, slope, wind speed, relative humidity, soil temperature, soil pH, soil moisture, soil texture and parent material.
Biotic factors
Biotic factors in the video include interactions and examples of trophic levels.
Fieldwork instruments part 1: Air temp, humidity, wind speed, light intensityYouTube | Field of Mars EEC (2:43min) | Video transcript | View in Google Drive
Fieldwork instruments – air, wind, light
Measuring air temperature using the thermometer function of the Kestrel 3000 weather meter
Measuring relative humidity using the hygrometer function of the Kestrel 3000 weather meter
Measuring wind speed using the anemometer function of the Kestrel 3000 weather meter
Measuring light intensity using a light meter
Notes about reliability, potential error and biases.
Fieldwork instruments part 2: Soil texture, soil pH and soil temperatureYouTube | Field of Mars EEC (2:48min) | Video transcript | View in Google Drive
Fieldwork instruments – soil
Defining 'soil'
Determining soil texture using a manual classification method
Measuring soil pH using the 'saturated paste' method
Measuring soil temperature using a soil temperature probe
Handling and disposal of chemical waste
Notes about reliability, potential error and biases.
Fieldwork instruments part 3: Slope, aspect, positionYouTube | Field of Mars EEC (2:36min) | Video transcript | View in Google Drive
Fieldwork instruments – slope, aspect, position
Determining slope (gradient) using an inclinometer
Determining position (location) using a GPS or a smartphone app
Determining aspect using a compass
Considering strategies for ensuring reliable results
Notes about potential error and biases.
7. Task 2
7. Task 2
8. Virtual fieldwork
8. Virtual fieldwork
Use the photo link buttons below to access photos of instrument readings at each site. These will be used in task 3 below.
Make your own copy of the incomplete fieldwork data table below. You will be editing your own copy in task 3.
Use this link to make a copy – https://bit.ly/2X9eIKl (Google sheet)
9. Weather conditions
9. Weather conditions
Screenshot of Latest weather observations for Sydney - Observatory Hill, Thursday 2 April, 2020Bureau of Meteorology | CC BY 3.0 AU
Data and notes on the weather during the fieldwork
The photos above show the weather conditions on the morning of the fieldwork – 2 April 2020.
On the left is a screenshot of the weather data from Observatory Hill – the closest weather station with regular data.
Source 1 is a chart of the same conditions at Observatory Hill – the chart helps show trends.
Source 2 is the synoptic chart showing the weather systems influencing Australia at the time.
As you can see a low-pressure system and trough was approaching Sydney. This brought the rain that began at around 3.30pm.
Source 1 – Sydney observations for 2 April 2020 (uses data from the BoM Observatory Hill automatic weather station)Weatherzone |
10. Task 3
10. Task 3
11. Task 4
11. Task 4
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