Activity
Episode 19
23rd July 2013
Wild Mob
Key Learning
Students will explore the concept of ecoregions and examine the eight ecoregions in Australia. Students will
learn about Australia’s natural environment and examine the affect that human impact has on these
environments.
The Australian Curriculum
Science / Science as a Human Endeavour / Use and
influence of science
Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of
their actions (ACSHE062)
Scientific knowledge is used to inform personal and community
decisions (ACSHE220) (ACSHE217)
Science and technology contribute to finding solutions to a
range of contemporary issues; these solutions may impact on
other areas of society and involve ethical considerations
(ACSHE120)
Science understanding influences the development of practices
in areas of human activity such as industry, agriculture and
marine and terrestrial resource management (ACSHE121)
Geography / Geographical Inquiry and Skills /
Collecting, recording, evaluating and representing
Represent the location and features of places and different
types of geographical information by constructing large-scale
and small-scale maps that conform to cartographic conventions
including border, source, scale, legend, title and north point,
using spatial technologies as appropriate (ACHGS043)
(ACHGS036) (ACHGS029)
Science / Science Understanding / Biological
sciences
Living things, including plants and animals, depend on each
other and the environment to survive(ACSSU073)
Living things have structural features and adaptations that help
them to survive in their environment (ACSSU043)
The growth and survival of living things are affected by the
physical conditions of their environment (ACSSU094)
Discussion Questions
1. Which Australian national park did the kids travel to in the Wild Mob story?
a. Lamington National Park
b. Kakadu National Park
c. Daintree Rainforest
2. Using Google Earth, locate Lamington National Park.
3. What did the kids learn about on the 3 day adventure? Make a list.
4. What skills did the kids learn from setting up their own tents and making dinner for themselves?
5. How does getting rid of weeds help the environment? Consider the following statement to help your
discussion. In the bush weeds compete with native plants, affecting regeneration.
6. What nasty weed did the kids help get rid of on their trip?
7. Would you go on the Wild Mob adventure? Why or why not?
8. What would be your biggest challenge if you went on the Wild Mob adventure?
9. Describe the environment of Lamington National Park having watched the Wild Mob story.
10. How does the environment of Lamington National Park differ to where you live?
©ABC 2013
Activities
What is an ecoregion?

Students will work individually or in groups to discover more about Australia’s ecoregions.
Research questions

What is an ecoregion?

How many different types of ecoregions can be found across the globe?

List Australia’s eight ecoregions. Try and match the eight ecoregions against the shaded map
below. Compare your results with other students and then check your results. Refer to the
following map for results. http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/nrs/science/pubs/ecoregions.pdf

In the BtN Wild Mob story the students travelled to Lamington National Park. What ecoregion
does this rainforest belong to?

Choose one of the eight ecoregions found in Australia and describe its main characteristics.

Further investigation – What is the difference between an ecoregion, ecosystem and biome?
1. Deserts and Xeric Shrublands
2. Mediterranean Forests,
Woodlands and Scrub
3. Montane Grasslands and
Shrublands
4. Temperate Broadleaf and Mixed
Forest
5. Temperate Grasslands, Savannas
and Shrublands
6. Tropical and Subtropical
Grasslands, Savannas and
Shrublands
7. Tropical and Subtropical Moist
Broadleaf Forests
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Class discussion
 Discuss as a class what you have discovered about the variety of different environments in Australia.
 What type of environment is your school situated in?
 Have you visited any of these environments on a holiday?
©ABC 2013
Research project
The following activity is a research-based project for students to work on individually or in groups. The
project encourages students to use research and inquiry based learning to discover more about Australia’s
environment and the conservation of our environment. This project emphasises quality research,
collaboration (if working in groups) and effective presentation.

Students will need to choose, explore and research a significant Australian environment. Below are
some examples of significant Australian environments. Students can choose from the following list or
identity another area.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
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Tasmania’s forests
Great Barrier Reef
Lord Howe Island
Kimberley Ranges
Lamington National Park
Kakadu National Park
Blue Mountains
Daintree Rainforest
Environment profile

What are the physical features? E.g.
rivers, mountains etc.

Why is this type of environment important?

Where is it located? Locate on Google
Maps. Create your own map highlighting
geographical features and information.

What ecoregion does it belong to?
Describe the climate.

Is it a World Heritage Site?
Animals and plants

Describe the ecosystem.

What animals and plants are unique to this
area?

Are there any rare or threatened species?

List any introduced species to the area. In
what ways can these species harm the
environment?

How do the plants and animals interact?
Threats and human impact

What are some of the threats to the plants and animals in this area?

What affect has human impact had on the environment? Consider the effects of development,
farming, logging and marine pollution.

Why is it important to protect this environment?

What steps have already been taken to try and protect this area?

Suggest some strategies which could be used to prevent further harm to the area in the future.
What can individuals do? What can communities do?
Fact and statistics sheet

Create your own fact and statistics sheet which illustrates the importance of the environment and
highlights the affect that human impact has on the environment.

Consider creating your own infographic or poster to be displayed in the classroom or around the
school.
©ABC 2013
 Related Research Links
Wildmob – Volunteers for Wilderness Conservation
http://www.wildmob.org/
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities – Australia’s ecoregions
http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/nrs/science/bioregion-framework/terrestrial-habitats.html
WWF – Ecoregions
http://worldwildlife.org/biomes
National Geographic Education – Marine Ecology, Human Impacts, & Conservation
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/collections/marine-protected-areas/?ar_a=1
WWF – Invasive plants and animals
http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/wildlife_and_habitats/threats_to_species/invasive
_plants_and_animals/
Child and Youth Health – You and the environment
http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=288&id=2651
Behind the News – Plastic Oceans
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3591476.htm
Behind the News – Bushcare Kids
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3586880.htm
Behind the News – Devil Island
http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s3619585.htm
©ABC 2013