Biophysical interactions - forests

Biophysical interactions

Preliminary Geography 

How do the components of the biophysical environment interact in eucalypt forests and what are the effects of human activities and climate variations on the functioning of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere?

This excursion introduces students to the nature and functioning of the four components: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere and biosphere within two vegetation communites, the threatened ecological community Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark forest and the Coastal Enriched Sandstone Dry Forest both located in the Field of Mars Reserve. 

Undertaking geographic inquiry students engage in fieldwork using scientific methodologies to examine the nature of and key biophysical processes and biophyscial interactions within these two forest types. 

Students will engage in fieldwork to measure biotic and abiotic factors, use sampling techniques to identify vegetation structure and composition, record and assess community diversity and examine human impacts. Students will compare and contrast collected data to identify how specific biophysical environments function. To support the fieldwork inquiry maps, video, satellite imagery, graphs and statistics will be examined.

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

• The Field of Mars Reserve