Activity 1

Fieldwork Site Familiarisation

Complete pages 2 and 3 in the virtual fieldwork booklet for this activity.

Learning Intentions

We are learning:

  • about the geographical features of the fieldwork site

  • to use a topographic map to examine the geographical features of the fieldwork site

  • to interpret graphs and diagrams to understand the importance of mangroves

Inquiry Questions

  • What are the geographical features at Bobbin Head?

  • How does a topographic map help us to determine the geographical features of an area?

  • Why are mangrove environments ecologically important?

Drone Footage of Bobbin Head

View the drone footage of Bobbin Head to familiarise yourself with the area.

There are no questions to answer, just try to visualise the fieldwork area.

3D photograph of Bobbin Head mangroves

Hold the mouse button to move around and explore the mangroves. Familiarise yourself with the features of the mangroves here. There are no questions to answer, you are just visualising the fieldwork site.

Topographic map of Bobbin Head

This topographic map is on page 2 of your virtual fieldwork worksheet.

Answer the questions about the geographical features at Bobbin Head on your worksheet.


Secondary information about mangroves

Secondary information, infographs and diagrams can help us to understand mangrove environments in more depth.

Read the secondary information below, then answer the questions on page 3 of your virtual fieldwork booklet.

Mangrove Ecosystems

Mangrove ecosystems exist exclusively in intertidal zones. The soil is rich alluvial mud washed down from fresh water streams or rivers. The nutrient levels in the mud are high due to prolific amounts of organic matter from mangrove trees dropping leaves. Salt water inundates the forest twice a day due to the tides. Mangrove trees are able to exclude or excrete the salt enabling their survival in the salty environment.Some species obtain oxygen in the waterlogged soil through pneumatophores, or breathing roots, which sit above the water. Crabs feed on detritus washed in on the tides and dropped by mangrove trees. They dig burrows to shelter in during high tide and graze on the mud flats at low tide.

Mangrove trees have a vital role in ecology, and in coastal-hazard mitigation.

Schematic representation of the benefits of mangroves (CoastvsErosion, 2013)