Ecosystem dynamics excursion | 2025 syllabus | Stage 6 Biology
Program overview
Ecosystem dynamics is a Stage 6 Biology excursion where students investigate relationships between organisms and their environment in a Sydney sandstone forest ecosystem. Using the lace monitor as a case study, students collect biotic and abiotic data to evaluate habitat suitability and explain factors influencing species distribution.
Students investigate plant adaptations, symbiotic relationships, vegetation distribution and environmental conditions using specialised instruments and ecological sampling techniques. They analyse primary data to determine whether the ecosystem provides the habitat features, resources and conditions required to support lace monitors. This draft program supports the Biology 11–12 Syllabus (2025), implemented for Year 11 from 2027. Activities may change as planning continues.
The fieldwork techniques in this program can also be explored in a 2 hour incursion.
Fieldwork inquiry
- What biotic and abiotic features characterise Sydney sandstone forest ecosystems?
- Why are lace monitors found in some Sydney bushland ecosystems and not others?
- What fieldwork methods can be used to collect accurate and reliable ecological data?
Jump to: Program and curriculum | Essential information | Prepare for fieldwork Location | Extend learning | Related programs
Program and curriculum information
Fieldwork activities
Activities may change to suit student needs, timing and weather conditions.
This draft program supports the Biology 11–12 Syllabus (2025), implemented for Year 11 from 2027. Activities may change as planning continues.
Plant adaptations
Students identify selected native plants and examine structural features using field guides and scientific tools. They use field observations and measurements to explain how structural plant adaptations shaped by evolution support survival in a Sydney sandstone forest ecosystem.
Ecological relationships
Students use field journalling to observe and record interactions between organisms. They identify relationships such as predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, allelopathy and parasitism and consider how these interactions influence ecosystem dynamics.
Biotic and abiotic habitat survey
Students use fieldwork instruments to measure environmental variables and habitat features associated with lace monitor habitat suitability. Data may include tree height, leaf litter cover, animal diversity, termite nests, fallen logs, tree hollows, rocks, aspect, temperature, light intensity, soil moisture and soil pH.
Students process and analyse their primary data to explain how selected abiotic and biotic factors may influence the abundance, distribution and diversity of lace monitors.
Tree distribution and abundance
Students use transect sampling to investigate the distribution of vegetation in the eucalypt forest. They consider whether large, climbable trees provide suitable opportunities for lace monitors to bask, shelter, feed and move through the ecosystem.
Worksheet and supporting resources
Student worksheet
The Ecosystem dynamics student worksheet is coming soon.
Schools are responsible for printing one worksheet for each student before the excursion.
Teacher and student resources
View the Fieldwork techniques learning resource.
Additional supporting resources are being developed. These may include pre-fieldwork activities, species and ecosystem information and data-processing templates.
Suggested timetable
Time |
Activities |
| 9.45–10.15 | Introduction, fieldwork preparation, food break and toilets |
| 10.15–11.45 | Fieldwork activity 1 and 2 |
| 11.45–12.15 | Food break and toilets |
| 12.15–1.45 | Fieldwork activity 3 and 4 |
| 1.45–2.00 | Data analysis and conclusions |
| 2.00–2.15 | Pack up and depart |
The timetable may change according to class numbers, student learning needs, the selected location and weather.
Syllabus outcomes and content
Students will learn to
- collect, process and analyse primary biotic and abiotic ecosystem data
- identify abiotic and biotic factors that may exert selective pressures
- explain how structural plant adaptations shaped by evolution support survival
- use transect sampling to investigate tree distribution and abundance
- observe and explain relationships between organisms
- analyse how environmental factors may influence the abundance, distribution and diversity of organisms
- evaluate the suitability of habitat for a lace monitor population
- communicate an evidence-based conclusion using scientific language and terminology
Biology 11–12 Syllabus (2025)
Year 11 focus area
Evolution and ecosystems
Outcome
- BI-11-03 – analyses the relationships between organisms and their environment using the theory of evolution by natural selection
Working Scientifically outcomes
- BI-11WS-03 – conducts scientific investigations to collect data and information
- BI-11WS-04 – selects and processes qualitative and quantitative data and information
- BI-11WS-07 – communicates scientific arguments using evidence, scientific language and terminology for a specific audience
Content
Natural selection
Students:
- Use examples to demonstrate how abiotic and biotic factors exert selective pressures on populations
Evolution and adaptations
Students:
- Use plant examples to explain how structural adaptations shaped by evolution enable survival in their environment
Ecosystem dynamics
Students:
- Conduct a practical investigation to collect and analyse abiotic and biotic data, to discuss the features of an ecosystem
- Explain how abiotic and biotic factors influence the abundance, distribution and diversity of species in an ecosystem
- Use examples to determine relationships between organisms, including predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, allelopathy and parasitism
Biology 11–12 Syllabus (2025) © NSW Education Standards Authority for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2025.
Vocabulary
Essential information
Cost, class numbers and booking
Cost
DoE $27 per student – GST free
Non-government school $37 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750 per class
Classes
Maximum 8 classes per day, with up to 30 students per class.
A maximum of 4 classes can attend each location.
Program costs
Program costs may change. If program costs change after you book, you will be charged at the original cost.
Booking policy
Confirm final student numbers and classes 7 working school days before the program.
Risk assessment and accessibility
Access the risk assessment and location information for the confirmed excursion site:
Blackman Park risk assessment and location information
Buffalo Creek Reserve risk assessment and location information
Field of Mars Reserve risk assessment and location information
The program includes rugged bushwalking on uneven natural tracks. The full standard program is not wheelchair accessible.
Students who are unwell should not attend.
Classroom teachers are expected to attend and actively supervise students throughout the excursion.
Notify Field of Mars EEC before the visit about medical, mobility, sensory, communication or other support needs so reasonable adjustments can be considered.
What to bring and prepare
School preparation
- Print one worksheet for each student
- Organise students into suitable working groups
- Ensure students bring writing materials and a clipboard
- Review relevant fieldwork techniques or supporting resources
- Advise Field of Mars EEC of learning, medical or access requirements
Students should bring
School sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunscreen, raincoat, hat, sturdy closed shoes, pencils, clipboard and a reusable name tag.
Weather, cancellations and rescheduling
The program may be modified, postponed or cancelled because of predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms.
Cancellation or rescheduling with less than 30 school days’ notice before the booking date – $650
Cancellation with less than 14 school days’ notice before the booking date – full program cost
Cancellation due to unsafe weather or fire danger – $0
Prepare for secondary fieldwork
Preparing for your excursion
Find information about clothing, equipment, transport, arrival procedures, safety and preparing students for outdoor fieldwork.
Fieldwork techniques
Help students prepare to use scientific equipment, sampling methods, observations and field data-recording techniques.
Location options
Location options are being reviewed as part of program development. The final site will be selected to provide suitable access to Sydney sandstone forest vegetation, ecological relationships, habitat features, fieldwork teaching spaces and safe student movement.
Potential sites may include Blackman Park, Buffalo Creek Reserve and Field of Mars Reserve or other suitable Sydney bushland locations.
Blackman Park
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Blackman Park.
Buffalo Creek Reserve
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Buffalo Creek Reserve.
Field of Mars Reserve
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Field of Mars Reserve.
Extend student learning
Use these student-friendly fact sheets before or after the Ecosystem dynamics excursion to support ecological sampling, habitat suitability and lace monitor case study investigations.
- Reptiles fact sheet – Learn about reptile groups, including monitors, and their adaptations, habitats and ecosystem roles.
- Lace monitor fact sheet – Learn about lace monitors. A large tree-climbing goanna that hunts animals, scavenges carrion and uses hollows, logs and termite mounds.
- Eucalypt forest ecosystems fact sheet – Explore the forest ecosystem students investigate when comparing habitat suitability.
- Rock and log habitat fact sheet – Learn how rocks, logs, crevices and dead wood provide shelter, basking sites and food-web habitat.
- Tree habitat fact sheet – Discover how trees provide climbing routes, hollows, shelter, prey habitat and nesting places.
- Invertebrate fact sheets – Explore small animals that form part of food webs and help indicate habitat conditions.
- Field of Mars Reserve environment fact sheet – Learn about the reserve environment used for ecosystem dynamics fieldwork and habitat comparison.
Learn with us
Book this excursion
Book this Stage 6 Biology excursion using the online booking form.
Supporting resources
Access worksheets, assessment materials, fieldwork techniques, digital resources and classroom learning that support secondary science excursions.
Related Stage 6 Biology programs
Science fieldwork incursion
Collect ecological data at or near school using sampling techniques, abiotic measurements and scientific fieldwork instruments.