Biophysical interactions
Preliminary Geography
Intertidal wetlands
How do the components of the biophysical environment interact in intertidal wetlands and what are the effects of human impacts and climate variations on their functioning?
This excursion introduces students to the nature and functioning of the four components: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere in the mangrove and saltmarsh communities located in the intertidal zone of the Lane Cove River estuary.
Ecologically important, mangroves and saltmarsh are positioned in a dynamic land-sea interface existing in salty, tidal areas where other vegetation types can not. Perceptions on the value of these environments have changed over time and they are now recognised as having a vital role in protecting coastal zones from the impacts of a changing climate and as carbon sinks, storing 5 times more carbon in their soils than other environments.
Thinking and working geographically, students will use fieldwork equipment to measure biotic and abiotic factors using transect and quadrat sampling techniques and test water quality to examine environment functioning. Data will be recorded on a vegetation profile and with secondary sources such as plans of management, statistics, maps and spatial data conclusions on the effects of human impacts and climate variations will be drawn.
The fieldwork techniques used will support students undertaking their Senior Geography Project (SGP) in natural environments.
Attending this excursion fulfills the NSW Preliminary Geography course requirements for fieldwork in Biophysical interactions.
Location
- Buffalo Creek Reserve to Magdala Park
Track overview
Program details
