Living Systems - Ecosystems
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Botany Bay
Botany Bay
Botany Bay is one of the most diverse ecosystems in Sydney. Spanning 55km2, the catchment is a biodiversity hotspot that contains wetlands, mangroves, saltmarshes, seagrass beds and sandy beaches.
Towra Point Reserve alone contains approximately 60% of Sydney's remaining saltmarshes and also holds the city's largest continuous community of mangroves, highlighting Botany Bay's critical ecological significance.
Given it's richness, Botany Bay provides the perfect environment for students to explore how ecosystmes function, interact and support biodiversity.
On this excursion, students will use scientific tools to collect and analyse primary data, examine human impacts, and assess current conservation strategies. They will gain insight into the importance of ecosystem diversity, and observe first-hand effects of climate change and human activities on coastal environments.
Through the application of various fieldwork tools, students will develop their understanding of ecological processes, enhance their data collection skills, and reflect on the importance of protecting urban estuarine environments, like Botany Bay.
Excursion Details
Excursion Details
Dropoff and Pickup location - Bonna Point Reserve, Kurnell.
Amenities - Public bathroom, water refilling points
Cost - $25 per student, including GST
Start Time - 9.30am
Finish Time - 2.30pm
The start and finish times for this excursion are flexible and can be adjusted to align with your school's timetable. Please select your preferred start time when prompted.
To view our Terms and Conditions, please click here.
Outcomes
Outcomes
GE-11-01 - examines places, environments and natural and human phenomena, for their characteristics, spatial patterns, interactions and changes over time
GE-11-02 - explains geographical processes and influences, at a range of scales, that form and transform places and environments
GE-11-03 - explains geographical opportunities and challenges, and varying perspectives and responses
GE-11-04 - assesses responses and management strategies, at a range of scales, for sustainability
GE-11-05 - analyses and synthesises relevant geographical information from a variety of sources
GE-11-06 - identifies geographical methods used in geographical inquiry and their relevance in the contemporary world
GE-11-07 - applies geographical inquiry skills and tools, including spatial technologies, fieldwork, and ethical practices, to investigate places and environments
GE-11-08 - applies mathematical ideas and techniques to analyse geographical data
GE-11-09 - communicates and applies geographical understanding, using geographical knowledge, concepts, terms and tools, in appropriate forms
Activities
Activities
Beach profiling and coastal erosion study
Ocean acidification comparisons
Determining wave energy levels
Sea-level rise monitoring and inundation risk mapping
Climate variability at different locations to highlight human impacts
Conducting quadrat surveys in various intertidal zones to determine the resilience of coastal ecosystems to climate change
Marine and coastal ecosystem health study in two locations (disturbed and undisturbed) to determine whether human activity and climate change are impacting marine species diversity
Assessing the effectiveness of coastal management strategies in combating against climate induced changes
Inclusions
Inclusions
Five (5) comprehensively resourced lesson plans on Human-Environment Interactions
A summative Assessment Task and its accompanying Marking Guide
Fieldwork Booklet
Risk Assessment
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