Context

Complete page 2 in the Student Pre-visit Booklet for this section.

Observation

Behind every scientific investigation lies an observation. Scientists use observation to collect and record data, which enables them to develop and then test hypotheses and theories. Observations can be made through the senses including sight, hearing, taste, feeling and smell. On the excursion, you will make observations that will be used to gather information in the intertidal wetland environment at Bobbin Head.

Inference

Inference are ideas that we come up with to explain observations. Inferences are made based on past experiences, assumptions, available evidence and collective understanding how the world works. During the excursion, you will make inferences based on observation and data collection.

Quantitive and Qualitative data

Quantitative data refers to any information that can be counted or measured, and given a numerical value. Qualitative data is descriptive in nature, and relies on personal opinions and descriptions, and is expressed in words rather than numbers.

Mangrove flowerGibberagong EEC

The Intertidal Zone

The intertidal zone is the area above water level at low tide and underwater at high tide.

At Bobbin Head, this is an estuarine intertidal zone. An estuary is a place where fresh and salt water mix and there is a tidal cycle.

The intertidal zone in this part of the river system comprises of mud flats, mangrove and salt marsh.

Bobbin Head BoardwalkGibberagong EEC

Mangroves at Risk

With more than 35% of the world’s mangroves are already gone, there are many studies of mangroves around the world that are looking at current and future impacts of human development on both the mangroves and the species they support.

At Bobbin Head, there are many examples of human impacts on mangroves.

Your Task

The purpose of the fieldwork investigation is:

To investigate, using the scientific process, the intertidal wetlands at Bobbin Head.

You will undertake a series of fieldwork activities that will assist you to increase your knowledge about intertidal wetlands, including:

Mangrove observation and inference
Crab observation and inference
Crab distribution inquiry
Water quality of a mangrove ecosystem
Aboriginal understanding of country and place

Complete the pre-visit activities to learn about both the intertidal wetlands and the investigation.

Once you have completed the pre-visit activities, you will be ready to undertake the fieldwork program to collect and analyse the data to help answer the question posed as the purpose.

Good luck!!

Working Scientifically

During this program, you will be required to undertake activities that enable you to engage with several of the Working Scientifically skills.

In particular, there will be fieldwork tasks that require you to:

question and predict
plan investigations
conduct investigations
processing data and information
analysing data and information

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