ECOLOGY FIELDWORK SKILLS PROGRAMS

These programs relate to the Year 11 Local Ecosystem study unit (8.2). 

The related learning areas from the Biology Stage 6 syllabus are:

Distribution, diversity and numbers of plants/animals are determined by abiotic factors.

Each local aquatic or terrestrial ecosystem is unique.

Our two-night program introduces students to a diversity of natural habitats, plants and animals on the Wangat Wildlife Refuge.  The studies cover a range of sampling techniques and procedures for measuring abiotic factors.  Short personal projects or assessment tasks can be incorporated into the program if students attain a suitable degree of competency.

DAY ONE

Arrive at Wangat Lodge in the late morning and settle in to rooms.

A welcome, introduction to the Lodge and Wildlife Refuge and safety talk with Lodge staff.

LUNCH

Introduction to the program.  Receive Ecology Handbook introducing definitions and studies.

Study One: Freshwater Ecology.  Investigating the distribution, diversity and abundance of freshwater invertebrates in flowing and still ecosystems.  We compare Croakers Dam on the Wangat driveway with an adjacent ephemeral stream or the Chichester River, depending on recent rainfall.

AFTERNOON TEA

Study Two: Pitfall Trapping.  Set pitfall traps for a day and night comparison of terrestrial invertebrate communities in eucalypt forest.

RECREATION TIME

DINNER

Study Three: Small Mammal Survey.  Search for small mammals in 20 year old mixed forest and a plantation eucalypt forest.

Spotlight Walk and Slideshow options

DAY TWO

BREAKFAST

Check pitfall traps and reset.  Complete small mammal survey results.

Study Four: Subtropical Rainforest Ecology.  Walk to Hauler Gully through riverine forest, pasture and eucalypt hillside.  Discuss structure of the rainforest and history of the site. 

MORNING TEA

Leaf litter analysis using grid quadrat technique.  Experience of various rainforest features: epiphytes, stangler figs, ferns, vines, endemic plants.

LUNCH

Study Five: Ground Flora on "The Island".  On the way back from Hauler Gully, a transect survey of plants along a gradient of disturbance.  Discussion on bush tucker and Gringai indigenous uses of plants.

AFTERNOON TEA back at the Lodge

Check pitfall traps and collect in.  Second small mammal survey. 

RECREATION TIME

DINNER

Frog-hunting expedition.

DAY THREE

BREAKFAST

Collect small mammal data.

Options for last morning:

• Collate and analyse results from the five studies.
• Bird-survey.
• Bush regeneration work (weeding, tree planting.)
• Small personal projects on the Wildlife Refuge.

Briefing from Lodge staff to review the camp, invite reflections from students and encourage further studies.

LUNCH

Farewells and departure

A three-night program is also available.  This gives students the opportunity to learn fieldwork skills on Days One and Two, using the studies described above.  Day Three is devoted to designing a personal investigation and carrying out the fieldwork required on the Wildlife Refuge.  The final morning of Day Four can be used for identifications and book research.

A copy of the Student Handbook detailing the studies and background knowledge is available on request.  Our Teacher's Handbook is also available - a comprehensive guide to bringing students to Wangat Lodge.  Please 'phone (02) 4995 9265 or e-mail us.