Construct a food web for Bateau Bay using the information in the table below.

Impact of Biotic Factors

One way of representing transect data for the activity "Impact of Biotic Factors" is to enter data in a spreadsheet and produce a kite diagram. (see an example of making a kite diagram for vegetation manually)  

1. For our rock platform data, use the Excel spreadsheet below to produce a kite diagram for each species.  

2. Compare the distribution of different species along the rock platform (you could copy the diagrams on to 1 page - make sure the distances line up). 

3. Comment on how the distribution of different species changes as you move from the high zone to the low zone. For example, which species dominate different areas on the rock platform? 

4. Can you see any relationship between which species might occur together e.g limpets and algae.

5. Calculate the population density for  Black Nerites in the data from Group B below.

Population Density = total number / sample area

For example, if the data you've chosen shows a total of 53 black nerites in 13 quadrats (1/2 square meter each), then Density = 53 / 6.5 m2  = 8.2 black nerites  per 1/2m2 .

6. Calculate the average density for combined Groups A B and C

Measuring Populations of Organisms (micro environments)

Discussion Questions

1.      Did your sub habitats have equal species richness? If not rank them in order from lowest to highest species richness.

2.      What was the total species richness in the area you surveyed? (each species should only be counted once) 

3.      What are some problems associated with the ‘timed search’ method and how could the method be improved?

4.      Explain how a lack of expertise in identifying animals could affect the accuracy of the results.

5.      Were your results consistent with those of other groups? Discuss

6.      Do you think that the results would be different in the different zones (high, mid, low)? Predict how and explain your reasoning.

7.      Which animals were most restricted eg found in only one sub-habitat and which were least restricted? Discuss

8.      What are the abiotic differences between the 5 sub habitats?

9.      Discuss adaptive characteristics of a typical animal inhabitant from each sub-habitat

Impact of Abiotic Factors

Wave action varies enormously from place to place and even within one rock platform. It varies from very sheltered to very exposed. Different animals have different adaptations to cope with wave action and this can be one reason to account for the location of species in relation to the amount of wave action.

1.       Review the tide times for Bateau Bay in this link and analyse how many neap tides, king tides each year.

2.       Use the “Adaptations” information collected on the day and the ’Animal Characteristics’ to describe how animals resist desiccation at low tide and cope with extreme wave action?

3.       Describe how the abiotic factors differed between the high and low tide zones. Back your answers with data.

4.       Use the data collected in your worksheet to construct a graphical description of the abundance of each animal in the high and low tide zones. Create a spreadsheet for each species surveyed.

Syllabus Inquiry question: How can human activity impact on an ecosystem?

Devised inquiry question: How does water quality effect the distribution of species on the rock platform?

Bateau bay rock platform is also the site for sewerage outfall on the Central Coast.

It is difficult to interpret data collected in a short period of time as it is hard to determine what other abiotic or biotic influences in the area may be causing distribution that is not water quality related.

Refer to data from study

Discussion

1.  Consider which factors of water quality could affect marine invertebrates (see Water watch manual in this link).

2.  Central Coast Council has been monitoring water quality at Wonga point for many years. Read the Excerpts of Discussions Wonga Point Water Quality Tests from 1978-2005 and explain what are the difficulties of collecting data on water quality. Explain the best scientific method to use for such studies.

3.  Read the article on Norfolk Island Pines in Sydney 1970 (this link) . What is the issue with sewage that has not been tertiary treated?

4.  Where are sewage outfalls located in NSW? Plot these on a map and name the five closest to your school. https://www.nod.org.au/nsw

5.  Use the data for Wonga Point on the NOD site (outfall maps tab) to determine if there have there been any recent water quality issues at Wonga Point or Toukley.

Compare these results to the ANZECC water quality guidelines.

Climate Change

Devised inquiry question: How could Climate Change affect the distribution of species on the rock platform?

As Climate Change is a long term affect, data to answer this question can not be interpreted from results in one day.

Design an investigation that could be implemented over a long period of time to collect data about Climate Change. Things to consider;

• Abiotic influences – choose which abiotic influences would be most significant to monitor on the rock platform (pH, dissolved oxygen, water temp, humidity, wind speed, salinity or aspect?)

• Weather – is the weather seasonal or irregular compared to historical data. Research climate data on Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/?ref=ftr

• Location – which parts of the rock platform would be most affected by changes in sea level.

• Ocean Acidification – what are the issues here and what effects could this have on marine invertebrates? What percentage of organisms on the rock platform have shells?

• Effects of climate change on oceans. Research the study from Heron Island Research Station on the Great Barrier Reef. How did scientists ensure the data collected in this experiment was accurate?

Scientific Study on effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs at Heron Island, Qld.

·         https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120607092857.htm

·         https://www.nature.com/articles/srep00413