Field Work Activities

Adaptations to life on the rock platform 

Introduction activity for all field work. This activity requires students to familiarise themselves with the rock platform and the organisms that are present. Students fill in a table to compare the adaptations of each of the organisms shown. 

Species Area Curve 

Conducted on all field work days. 

A species area curve allows us to determine the minimum number of samples required for a reliable analysis of the rock platform. Students will create a graph from the cumulative number of new species column on the data recording sheet. 

Impact of Biotic Factors - Science Investigation

Inquiry Question: How do biological interactions affect the distribution of species on the rock platform? 

Exposure to waves, tides and sun can affect the location of species on the rock platform - but interactions with other species is also a key factor. In this investigation students will explore the relationship between limpets and and algae. (This method is from a study by scientists Underwood and Chapman that can be used as a pre visit understanding of this relationship). Students will use a 30m belt transect with 5 m intervals on the mid tide zone to collect data.

Measuring Populations of Organisms - Science Investigation

Inquiry Question: Do the assemblages of organisms vary within the rock platform’s microhabitats? Rock pools, crevices, boulders and cobbles provide sub-habitats that may be favoured by different animals and plants.

Students will compare the species richness of different sub-habitats on the rock platform. 

The 5 sub-habitats are crevices, rock-pools, cobbles, boulders and bare rock. 

They will also test some of the abiotic features of each of these habitats (salinity, water temp, ground temp, pH)

See the 360 degree image of the site for images of the sub habitats.

For more information on this study read a similar study  prepared by Dr William Gladstone, Ms Aude Loisier, and Mr Chris Herbert -Central Coast Rocky Shore Biodiversity Assessment (2007)  Link Here

Human Impacts  

Conclusion activity

 Students will observe and /or consider how the rock platform is impacted by human activity.