Ecosystems at risk
Kelp forests of south eastern Australia
A case study for the Stage 6 HSC geography topic - Ecosystems at Risk
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and sea along the coast of south eastern Australia.
We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge the important role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play within the community today.
This website is designed to support your learning and understanding of a case study of an 'Ecosystem at risk'.
Kelp forest ecosystems
Introduction
This website is designed to provide you with a case study of an Ecosystem at Risk for the Stage 6 Geography topic - Ecosystems at Risk.
The focus is an investigation into how kelp forest ecosystems function, the key threats and management strategies.
Key inquiry questions
How do kelp forest ecosystems function?
Why are the kelp forests of Eastern Australia at risk?
How will these 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 - Kelp Forests: unique characteristics, spatial dimensions, biophysical interactions, nature of change, the human impacts which influence them and traditional and contemporary management practices.
Primary research
The abundance of kelp and seaweed forests distributed along the southern and east coast of NSW and Australia provide opportunities for students to engage in primary research through fieldwork.
Locate a suitable kelp forest site for geographic fieldwork.
Follow the steps for fieldwork below and throughout the website.
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 kelp forests in NSW, such as -
NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment DPI
References and further reading can be found in Resources.
Website content
The website provides an investigation of :
how kelp forest ecosystems function.
where kelp forests are located.
how kelp forest ecosystems are changing.
fieldwork skills and methodologies that can be used to investigate kelp forest and seaweed ecosystems.
the nature and rate of change affecting kelp forest ecosystems.
kelp forest ecosystems along the southern and east coasts of Australia with a focus on kelp forest ecosystems off Sydney's coast
the human impacts on kelp forests
current and future management strategies.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork inquiry
Fieldwork is an essential component of geography. It provides students an experience of active research when investigating a geographical issue or problem.
The steps of fieldwork inquiry are used when conducting both virtual fieldwork and for a physical visit to a study site.
Step 1 – Develop geographic inquiry questions
Step 2 – Formulate a plan for the investigation
Step 3 – Identify, collect and record primary and secondary data
Step 4 – Evaluate, represent and interpret data to draw conclusions
Step 5 – Communicate geographical findings
Step 6 – Critically reflect on the findings of the investigation and the effectiveness of the inquiry.
Inquiry questions
Successful fieldwork has a clear purpose. Developing inquiry questions will help guide your investigation and ensure you keep on track.
Consider the following inquiry questions:
Where is the site located?
What interactions within the biophysical environment can be observed and measured? What equipment will be needed to do this?
What evidence is there of natural and human induced change? How are these changes interrelated?
What are the effects of these natural and human processes? Are these changes positive or negative?
What management strategies can be observed? What criteria could be used to evaluate the success of these strategies?
Conducting fieldwork
Select a study site to undertake your own fieldwork.
What site should be selected?
Who can help you conduct fieldwork?
What do you need to find out?
How will you find out?
How will you present the data?
How will this support your study of ecosystems at risk?
Follow the steps for fieldwork inquiry to guide your investigations.