1
Fieldwork
investigations
at
Tung Chung River and
its
surrounding areas
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Fieldwork is an important element in studying geography. In this fieldwork
investigation, divide yourself into groups of 5-6, work together on setting an
appropriate title for fieldwork investigations at the Tung Chung River and submit a
report in not more than 2,500 words.
A. Background:
Tung Chung was an old fishing and farming village in the early 1990’s, and in the past
10 years, it has been developed into a new town. In 2003, illegal rock excavation at
the Tung Chung River came to light. It was found that the boulders were sold to a
contractor at $90 per tonne for building the artificial lake in Hong Kong Disneyland
Resort. As a result, the ecological system of the Tung Chung River has been seriously
damaged. Even though the removed boulders were eventually placed back to their
original locations, public concern was aroused over the environmental recovery of the
Tung Chung River.
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B. Pre-trip activities:
1.
Look at the following photographs. Have you visited these places before?
How do such developments affect the environment?
2.
Besides the developments mentioned in Question 1, browse the Internet to find
out other major developments on Lantau Island since the 1990s. Plot the
location of these developments (may include proposed ones) on Figure 1.
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公里
Figure 1 Major developments of Lantau Island since the 1990s
3.
Refer to the maps showing the Tung Chung River and its surrounding areas in
1994 and 2004 on P.5-6 (i.e. Figure 2 and Figure 3). Based on map evidence,
describe the developments of the area within the period.
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Figure 2 Tung Chung River and its surrounding areas in 1994
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





Figure 3 Tung Chung River and its surrounding areas in 2004 (The numbers on the map
show the checkpoints of this fieldwork)
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4.
Divide into groups. Each group is required to search for background
information (such as history and recent developments) of Tung Chung
(including the Tung Chung River) and the whole Lantau Island.
5.
According to the information you have collected, prepare a PowerPoint
presentation to show how the developments of Lantau Island and Tung Chung
new town affect the environment of the Tung Chung River and its surrounding
areas.
6.
Study the following suggested directions for your investigation of the Tung
Chung River and its surrounding areas. Then, decide your own area of enquiry.
a). Characteristics of different courses of the Tung Chung River and the
degree of human impact on them
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You may choose any 3 checkpoints based on Figure 3 and develop your own
enquiry title about rivers. You may use the available measuring instruments (or
develop your own instruments) to collect 3 different sets of data on the
characteristics of the Tung Chung River (e.g. depth, width and velocity) for
comparison and analysis. You may also set hypothesis for testing and assess the
impact of human activities on the above three selected checkpoints.
b). Urban encroachment and changes in land use
You may use different research methods and instruments to explain the land use
pattern in Sha Tsui Tau and nearby areas (Checkpoint 1). You may also assess
the impact of urban development on the area and evaluate how to achieve
sustainable development in the area.
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c). Agricultural patterns and development
You may choose the farming activities at the Tung Chung River and its
surrounding areas as the title for enquiry. You may investigate the changing types
of crops from the Tung Chung River to Ngau Au in terms of time and space. You
may also provide explanations for such agricultural pattern and assess the impact
of urban development on it.
d). Environmental assessment of the Tung Chung River and its
surrounding areas
Based on your chosen location/area, you may use different measuring methods to
collect relevant information on the environmental problems of the Tung Chung
River and its surrounding areas. Examples of such environmental problems may
include air pollution, solid waste pollution and noise pollution. You may refer to
Figure 3, set hypothesis, collect data, and compare and analyse the impact of
human activities on the physical environment. Solutions to the above problems
may also be suggested.
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Points for consideration:
1. Is there sufficient primary and secondary data for investigation related to the
enquiry title you set?
2. Is the data easily accessible? Is it safe to collect such data?
3. Can you finish your study within two months?
7. Prepare for the fieldwork and fill in Table 1:

Develop your own enquiry title / question;


Clarify the objectives of the enquiry;
Identify the type of information (primary and secondary data) that is
required;

Decide on the methods and instruments to be used;


Prepare for the enquiry, e.g. designing record sheets; and
Develop the enquiry sequences.
Enquiry Title:
Objectives:



Required information:





Methods of investigation:



Instruments for data collection:




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Enquiry sequences:
1.
2.
3.
…
Table 1
Planning and preparation for the fieldwork investigation
C. Data collection at the Tung Chung River and its surrounding
areas:
At this stage, you should:

use different techniques and instruments to collect data in the field, e.g.
observation and measurement;


record and organise field data systematically; and
gather supplementary information (secondary data) after the fieldwork.
D. Developing your fieldwork investigation report:
After data collection, you are required to develop a fieldwork report in not more than
2,500 words. It should mainly be developed with primary data but secondary data can
also be used as supplementary information. All secondary data used should be
acknowledged.
The report may include the following parts:

Cover page


Contents page
Introduction (including the objectives, enquiry title(s), site and methodology
used for the fieldwork)
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
Presentation of the collected data





Analysis of the investigation results
Interpretation of the findings
Conclusions
Evaluation (of the whole enquiry) and suggestions
Appendices (may include some sample record sheets and other materials that are
relevant to the investigation)

Bibliography
References for Part C and Part D
The following books may give you more details and examples about the steps in Part
C and Part D.
1. Baker, S. et.al. (1996). Pathways in senior geography: Essential skills. South
Melbourne: Thomas Nelson Australia.
2. Donert, K. (1990). Enquiry skills for GCSE. Oxford: Heinemann Educational.
3. Frew, J. (1993). Advanced geography fieldwork. Hong Kong: Thomas Nelson and
Sons Ltd.
4. Holmes, D. and Farbrother, D. (2000). A-Z advancing geography: Fieldwork.
Sheffield: Geographical Association.
5. Holmes, D. and Warn, S. (2003). Fieldwork investigations—A self study guide.
London: Hodder & Stoughton.
6. Johnson, P. S. and Richardson, D. (1996). Methods of statistical analysis of
fieldwork data. Sheffield: The Geographical Association.
7. John, P. S. and Richardson, D. (2000). Methods of presenting fieldwork data.
Sheffield: The Geographical Association.
8. Lenon, B. and Cleves, P. (2001). Fieldwork techniques and projects in geography
(2nd ed.). London: Collins Educational.
9. Nagle, G. (1998). Skills and techniques for geography A-Level. England: Stanley
Thornes (Publishers) Ltd.
10. Redfern, D. and Skinner, M. (2002). AS/A-Level Geography: Coursework &
practical techniques. Oxfordshire: Philip Allan Updates.
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