Fieldwork sites

SITE 1: The billabong ( Walk) 

Orientation

Locate your position on the map in your fieldwork workbook. 

Primary data collection

The walk to the wetland will take you downhill into the wetland through different vegetation zones.

• On the walk into the wetland measure the slope of the trail at three locations.

• At the billabong measure and record abiotic and biotic features of the biophysical environment using fieldwork techniques and methods explained in the previous page. 

• On the walk out of the wetland 

Record evidence of natural stresses and / or human modifications 

Measure the speed of downslope water movement at three locations. Compare flow figures at unvegetated and vegetated sites. Note the speed and direction of flow.

See Central Coast Council Virtual Tour of PCW under the Virtual Fieldwork tab.

SITE 2: Abbey Close Watanobbi

Use a topographic map or satellite image to locate the artificial wetland and determine the direction water flows into the wetland.

Compare this location with other sites observed. Look for the orientation of the houses and efforts to deal with urban stormwater runoff. 

Observe human impacts on PCW at this location including edge effects.

Collect  water quality data using chemical tests and a water bug survey. 

Compare water quality with that at the billabong using the data you collected.

Various Sites: Warnervale, Halloran, Wadalba and / or Woongarah

Observe and record information about Water Sensitive Urban Design features in at least two new urban developments. 

Look for detention basins and constructed wetlands and discuss how these work.

Sketch or photograph the features you observe and locate your positions on a map or satellite image.

Observe the layout of new release suburbs including the outlook of houses and placement of spaces for recreation. 

Former SITE 3: Fishburn Drain, Watanobbi  (no longer optimal for field work)

Use a topographic map or satellite image to locate Fishburn Drain and determine the direction water flows into the wetland.

Compare this location with those visited at Wadalba and Woongarah. Look for the orientation of the houses and efforts to deal with urban stormwater runoff. 

Observe human impacts on PCW at this location including edge effects.

Collect  water quality data using chemical tests and a water bug survey. 

Compare water quality with that at the billabong using the data you collected.