Embedded Files
Lesson goals
Lesson goals
The lesson aims to help students improve their data analysis and interpretation skills and draw evidence-based conclusions about the Illawarra rainforest's vulnerability and resilience.
Lesson description
Lesson description
In this lesson, students will process and analyse the data collected during the excursion. They will enter their field data into pre-programmed and formatted spreadsheets that automatically generate the required graphs. The graphs will allow students to interpret findings on biodiversity, ecosystem vulnerability, resilience, and human impacts. They will also perform comparative analysis to classify rainforest types, assess plant and animal diversity, evaluate ecosystem succession stages, and determine the impact of invasive species and historical logging, including Red Cedar recovery.
Estimated time
Estimated time
40 minutes
Supporting materials
Supporting materials
Focus Area
Focus Area
Ecosystems and Global Biodiversity
Investigation of ecosystems
Outcomes
Outcomes
Geographic Skills and Tools
Geographic Skills and Tools
Fieldwork
Synthesise and interpret fieldwork data
Evaluate a fieldwork activity
Graphs and statistics
Data tables, column graphs, compound bar graphs and line graphs.
Construct, interpret and analyse tables and graphs
Data Sheet 1 - Site composition
Data Sheet 1 - Site composition
Using a 5 x 5 m quadrat, the vegetation abundance, complexity and diversity was assessed to determine the characteristics and succession stage of each site whilst in the field. Qualitative data sets require careful analysis to draw meaningful conclusions, in this case the categories of Abundant, Common, Rare and Nil are re-classified in the analysis as 80%, 50%, 20% and 0% respectfully, to facilitate the production of graphs and charts.
Follow the instructions below to analyse your field data.
a) Populate Site 1, Site 2 and Site 3 data tables with your qualitative data (A,C,R,N), using capitals.
b) Spreadsheet will assign numerical values to the qualitative data and provide a site average.
c) Charts will auto-populate based on your results.
d) Edit charts as required, before embedding into the results section of your report.
Data Sheet 2 - Animal biodiversity
Data Sheet 2 - Animal biodiversity
Using a range of sampling techniques, the animal biodiversity at each site was assessed to determine the influence of rainforest complexity upon fauna diversity. As this data is categorised as present/not present there is no need for further analysis or presentation via graphs and charts. Instead, present the data in tabulated format within your report.
Follow the instructions below to analyse your field data.
a) Populate fauna diversity survey data table with your qualitative data.
b) Edit data table as required, before embedding into the results section of your report.
Data Sheet 3 - Ecosystem resilience
Data Sheet 3 - Ecosystem resilience
Using a range of sampling techniques, the abiotic factors were measured across various stages of succession. As each abiotic factor is an individual variable using a unique measurement scale, it will require an individual graph for each factor. Select and embed the most suitable variables which support your research within your report.
Follow the instructions below to analyse your field data.
a) Populate Site 1, Site 2 and Site 3 data tables with your quantitative data collected in the field.
b) Charts will auto-populate based on your results for each physical factor.
c) If required, charts may be produced to represent the 'Deviation from end-stage succession level'.
d) Edit charts as required, before embedding into the results section of your report.
Data Sheet 4 - Site composition
Data Sheet 4 - Site composition
Through visual assessment, the human impacts upon each site were assessed and compared. Qualitative data sets require careful analysis to draw meaningful conclusions, in this case the categories of Extreme, High, Moderate, Minimal and Nil are re-classified in the analysis as 90%, 70%, 50%, 20% and 0% respectfully, to facilitate the production of graphs and charts.
Follow the instructions below to analyse your field data.
a) Populate human impact survey data table with your qualitative data.
b) Edit data table as required, before embedding into the results section of your report.
c) Populate human induced modifications data table with your qualitative data.
d) Corresponding table and chart will auto-populate with numerical data based upon qualitative results.
e) Edit chart as required, before embedding into the results section of your report.
Data Sheet 5 - Red Cedar growth
Data Sheet 5 - Red Cedar growth
The influence of Tip Moth and over-harvesting is assessed through the measurement of growth patterns of Red Cedar trees. As each measurement is an individual variable using a unique measurement scale(trunk length, # of leaders, crown height), it will require an individual graph for each factor. Select and embed the most suitable variables which support your research within your report.
Follow the instructions below to analyse your field data.
a) Populate Table 1 and 2 with numerical data collected in the field.
b) Tables 3, 4 and 5 will auto-populate based on your results.
c) Charts will auto-populate based upon Tables 3, 4 and 5.
d) Edit charts as required, before embedding into the results section of your report.
Data Sheet 6 - Weeds and fragmentation
Data Sheet 6 - Weeds and fragmentation
A transect was used to investigate the relationship between weed proliferation and proximity to fragmented parts of the rainforest. As these measurements have the same independent (changed) variable, distance, each species may be represented on the same graph as and individual line. Alternatively, the values may be totalled to provide a total weed abundance vs distance. Select and embed the most suitable graphs which support your research within your report.
Follow the instructions below to analyse your field data.
a) Populate Table 1 with numerical data collected in the field.
b) Charts will auto-populate based upon results, both for individual species abundance and total % cover.
c) Edit charts as required, before embedding into the results section of your report.
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