Senior Biology A Local Ecosystem – A study of Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest. 587 Chapel Hill Road Sackville North NSW 2756 Phone: 4579 1136 Fax: 4579 1072 www.brewongle-e.schools.nsw.edu.au 1 Health and Safety Issues As you are working out in the field you need to be aware that: Ground material is often covered in moss and can be very slippery. Vines and dense undergrowth can trip. Fallen trees can be rotten and weak. Some animals can deliver painful or venomous bites. On slopes, rocks can be easily dislodged. Edges of wetlands can be quite deep and muddy. Preliminary Course Outcomes covered by the Field Work P2 Applies the processes that are used to test and validate models, theories and laws of science, with particular emphasis on first-hand investigations in Biology. P4 Describes the applications of Biology which affect society or the environment. P7 Describes the range of organisms in terms of specialisation for a habitat. P8 Analyses the interrelationships of organisms within the ecosystem. P11 Identifies and implements improvements to investigation plans. P14 Draws valid conclusions from gathered data and information. P16 Demonstrates positive values about and attitudes towards both the living and nonliving components of the environment, ethical behaviour and a desire for a critical evaluation of the consequences of the applications of science. History of the Study Site The site is located at Sackville North on a ridge above the Hawkesbury River. The natural vegetation of the area has been modified by farming practices, school buildings and rural residential properties. The land was originally inhabited by the Darug Aboriginal nation and presumably was not greatly altered during that time. The Sackville -Windsor area was considered suitable for farming and was settled in 1810. The vegetation was severely modified following settlement. This was initially restricted to the flood plain immediately adjacent to the river. Sackville North Public School was located on the site from 1878-1972. Brewongle Field Studies Centre was opened officially in 1979 after the site was used for camping in the interim. It is now called Brewongle Environmental Education Centre and is a facility that hosts other schools on day and camp visits. The site has been classified as having the vegetation community of Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest with dominant tree species including Grey Gum (Eucalyptus punctata), Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera) and Grey Myrtle (Backhousia myrtifolia) 2 Investigation Scenario The Task: Background The study site is a NSW Department of Education and Communities facility called Brewongle Environmental Education Centre. Centre staff would like to recruit you to carry out an ecological assessment of the site for its suitability to support the spottedtailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus). The quoll is threatened nationally and classed as vulnerable in NSW. Student Task Establish parameters for the quoll’s survival. Test the study site for its ability to support quolls. Interpret results and make conclusions based on findings. 3 Let’s study the Spotted-tailed quoll Where do they nest? What is their diet? Quoll What type of ecosystem do they require? What type of firsthand investigation methods could you use in the field to complete this study and what equipment or resources do we need? 4 Survey Recording Form Abiotic Components Physical & Chemical Characteristics Along the Transect Method Temperature Colour Soil pH Texture Leaf Litter Depth Temperature Air % Moisture Light Intensity Slope Geography Aspect Elevation Lithology Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Remove the cover from the thermometer and place probe in soil. Rub fore fingers on ground & colour in the worksheet section Step 1-Place soil on white tray with spoon Step 2-Place 2-3 drops of universal indicator over the sample Step 3-Sprinkle barium sulphate on sample Step 4-Use colour chart to assess pH level See notes on pink laminated sheet Place trowel into leaf litter. Take measurement from centre of trowel Use the temperature meter Use hygrometer. Step 1-Read dry bulb temperature Step 2-Read wet bulb temperature Step 3-Calculate difference between wet & dry bulb temperatures Use chart in centre to assess relative humidity Use lux meter. 1 lux = light of one candle per square meter. Turn on to x100 & take a reading from waist height (add two zeros to your reading) Use clinometer. (blue colour) (in degrees) Use compass. Step 1-Assess where north is Step 2-Assess direction of transect line Will be given to you Assess the rock type observed 5 Abiotic results – interpretation sheet Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 H=Healthy U=Unhealthy H=Healthy U=Unhealthy H=Healthy U=Unhealthy Temperature What would soil temperature influence? pH Texture Leaf Litter Depth Soil 1 – 5.5 = unhealthy 5.5 – 8 = healthy 8 – 12 = unhealthy How would the texture influence vegetation? <1cm = unhealthy 2 – 3cm = adequate 3cm & above = healthy You will need to use internet resources like the Bureau of Meteorology to answer some of the following What is the average temperature range for the month for Sackville North? Temperature Does your recorded temperature fit within the average? Air Light Intensity % Moisture Slope Aspect Geography Elevation Lithology <100 lux = very dark day Full daylight = ~10,000 lux Bright sunlight = ~100,000 lux Did your lux readings vary as you moved along the transect? Why? What is the average humidity for the month at Sackville north? How does your recorded humidity compare to the average? How would the slope influence vegetation? How would the aspect of the slope change the type of vegetation? Does the vegetation change as you move up the slope? Why/why not? Why are we interested in the type of rock observed? 6 Survey Recording Form VEGETATION TYPE AND HEIGHT Biotic Components – Cross section Plant Distribution Along the Transect Transect 1 Transect 2 Key to Flora = Shrubs (<5m) = Small Trees (5-10m) = Med trees (10-30m) = Tall trees (30m +) Example Distribution Distribution of a species describes where it is found. A transect can be used to measure distribution. Follow your 30m transect and record tree category and tree height on the table below. Draw a line for each tree with a symbol at the top that represents the category. Transect 3 What is the vegetation classification? ____________________________________ (To complete refer to ‘Vegetation Classification by Structure’ sheet) Quolls prefer a structurally diverse forest (plenty of grasses, shrubs, small and large trees) Do your observations show adequate vegetation layers for the quoll?______________ What layer of vegetation (if any) is missing? _________________________________________ 7 Plant Abundance Abundance refers to the number of species in a given area. This may involve counting actual species. If the area is too large, sample plots or quadrats are used to estimate overall abundance. You will be counting tree and shrub typess in 10m x 10m quadrats (100sqm). Study Site = approx. 30,000sqm You will then need to estimate total abundance of each plant type for the whole site (30,000sqm) The results for each quadrat by will be multiplied by_______________ to find total abundance for the study site. Are there any site factors that could make this figure inaccurate?____________________________________ PLANT TYPE Quadrat 1 Quadrat 2 Quadrat 3 Quadrat 4 Average (amount per 100sqm) TOTAL ABUNDANCE (amount per 30,000 sqm) (average result x _________?) Shrubs Small Trees Medium Trees Large Trees How could this data affect the presence of a population of Spotted-tailed quolls? ______________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ HABITAT ASSESSMENT SITE 1 Habitat Element A variety of 4 or more plant species 2 Healthy Tree Canopy / Plant Foliage Healthy 2 Moderately Healthy 1 Defoliation Evident 0 Shrubs None 0 Some 1 Most 2 Native Shrubs None 0 Some 1 Most 2 Ground Cover None 0 Some 1 Most 2 Native Grasses or Spreading Plants 2 Hollows Butt Hollows 1 Limb Hollows 1 Fallen Log Hollows 1 Rocks & Crevices None 0 Some 1 Most 2 Leaf Litter None 0 Some 1 Most 2 Loose Bark (attached or shed) None 0 Some 1 Most 2 Logs & Fallen Branches None 0 Some 1 Most 2 WATER Pond/Water Yes 1 No 0 FOOD Plants with Fruits / Seeds None 0 Some 1 Most 2 Plants of Different Ages None 0 Some 1 Most 2 Joined or Located to Other Gardens / Bush by Gardens / Bush Yes 1 No 0 SHRUBS GROUND COVERS Shrubs 2 TREES One or more trees native to Australia SHELTER SITE 3 More than 5 large trees 2 HABITAT SPACE 1 - 3 large trees (> 6m) 1 SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE Trees SITE 2 Evidence of Dieback 0 TOTAL SCORE / 33 A LOW SCORE WILL INDICATE THE ZONE IS POOR HABITAT. This may be because it has been disturbed or requires additional habitat parameters to better support the amazing variety of living things. A spotted tailed quoll requires a minimum score of 20 to survive. INTERPRETING THE HABITAT ASSESSMENT AREA - the higher the score the better. Larger animals and those higher up the food chain require more territory/range in which to support themselves. Wildlife corridors play an important role in sustaining and conserving plant and animal species. TREES - provide nesting sites and food for nectar and fruit eaters. HEALTHY TREE CANOPY – a healthy canopy will indicate the site is relatively free of human disturbances (eg; erosion, compaction) or natural disturbances (storm damage, major presence of mistletoe) SHRUBS – dense native shrubs allow small native animals and birds to shelter and to hide from predators such as feral cats. HERBS & GROUND COVERS – provide the food for finches, lyrebirds, lizards, frogs and wallabies, and also provide habitats for small mammals, insects and spiders. NATIVE PLANTS – native plants are adapted to the Australian environment. They require less watering, little or no fertiliser and provide the right food at the right time for the native animals that have evolved with them. HOLLOWS – are important homes for native wildlife. It can take over a hundred years for hollows to develop in forests. Hollows also provide nesting sites for birds, possums and bats. ROCKS & CREVICES – provide habitat for many animals to live and feed and for certain species of plants to grow – they are valuable habitat. Bush rock collection has had a significant impact on our wildlife and degraded many areas. LEAF LITTER – provides habitat for smaller animals like lizards, geckos, frogs and invertebrates. Leaf litter, when broken down, provides humus – a rich source of nutrients for trees and shrubs. LOOSE BARK – provides habitat for invertebrates, spiders and lizards. LOGS OR FALLEN BRANCHES – 20% of native mammals need logs to nest in. They provide habitat for invertebrates and reptiles. When they decay they provide nutrients for the ecosystem. POND / WATER – provides homes for frogs, native fish, dragonfly nymphs and other invertebrates. Also drinking water for birds and animals. PLANTS WITH FRUIT / SEEDS – an important source of food for birds, bats, possums and invertebrates. PLANTS OF DIFFERENT AGES – indicates that an area has more habitat spaces for a variety of plants and animals. JOINED OR LOCATED TO OTHER GARDENS / BUSH – a variety of vegetation, vegetation density and landscapes will allow a greater range of animal species to find food and nesting sites. References – Rumbulara EEC CRAM Project – CMA,Windsor Nest Box Camera Survey List any wildlife or evidence of wildlife that you found. Threats to the Spotted-tailed quoll List any threats to the survival of the quoll that you have identified during your field study. Wildlife Camera Results List any animal recorded on the wildlife cameras. Human Impacts on a Vegetation Community There are many ways in which a vegetation community can be disturbed and each disturbance can have a varying degree of impact. Observe the vegetation community around you to complete the following checklist. 1. Has the soil been disturbed by; None (o) minor (1) major (2) Has the vegetation been disturbed by; None (o) minor (1) major (2) erosion (sheet, rill, gully) mining of soil, clay or sand dumping of rubbish/garden waste bushrock collection access roads, paths or tracks 2. weed invasion logging past clearing off road vehicle use nutrient/sewage seepage from adjacent farmland 3. Is the site; adjacent to an urban area adjacent to recreational facilities showing evidence of feral animals Score: Poor Average Good = = = 21 - 30 11 - 20 0 - 10 No (0) Yes (2) Recorded score: NB: the spotted-tailed quoll requires a score of 0-10 to survive. Observe as many alterations to the vegetation community at the study site. Alteration Environmental Impact Use the ID Charts to choose any 5 plants from the list below to determine the availability of food sources for tree mammals throughout the year. PLANT NAME HABITAT & HEIGHT FLOWERING TIME ADAPTATIONS Mountain Blue Gum Eucalyptus deanei Lilly Pilly Syzygium smithii Drip tip leaves Sweet Pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum Grey Myrtle Backhousia myrtifolia Rough Barked Apple Angophora floribunda Coachwood Ceratopetalum apetalum Turpentine Syncarpia glomulifera Paperbark Melaleuca styphelioides Timber very resistant to fire Salt water durable Use the ID Charts supplied to complete the following tables for the species below. Spotted-Tailed Quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) Distribution Mostly coastal NSW, Vic, Tasmania and restricted to some areas on western side of great dividing range. Their range has severely decreased since European settlement. Habitat Diet Dens and Latrine sites Threats Loss, fragmentation and degradation of habitat. Accidental poisoning during wild dog and fox control programs. Deliberate poisoning, shooting and trapping may also be an issue. Competition with introduced predators such as cats and foxes. (DECC, 2007) Conclusions 1. Is there structural diversity evident in the vegetation that may support a wide range of food for the quoll?____________________________________________________________________ 2. What evidence do you have to support this? ________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ 3. Are there enough habitat space requirements for small mammals and birds that make up the food supply of the quoll? ________________________________________________________ 4. What evidence do you have to support this? ________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Are there potentially enough habitat space requirements for spotted-tailed quoll? ____________ 6. What evidence do you have to support this? ________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 7. Is the study site joined / connected to other forest ecosystems? _________________________ 8. What are the implications of this for the quoll? _______________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Recommendations 1. What are the possible threats and human impacts on the quoll? _________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Outline your recommendations to improve or manage the site as habitat for the spotted-tailed quoll. _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ DEFINITIONS abiotic abundance the non-living components of an ecosystem (soils, climate, air, water) the number of species in a given area adaptation a genetically determined characteristic of form, function or behaviour that makes an organism suited to live in its environment an organism that is able to synthesise organic matter from inorganic nutrients and a source of energy. most plants and some bacteria are autotrophs allelopathy literally means “hurting each other” and in plant biology refers to the chemical by-products of one plant inhibiting the growth of another the mass of living matter in a particular area the life-supporting layer of the earth extending from the upper atmosphere into the soil the living component (both plants and animals) usually of a particular region a close relationship between two organisms such that one derives food and/or shelter from the other an assemblage of interacting populations of plants, animals, bacteria and fungi sharing a common environment the striving for the use of common resources between or within species and organism that feed on other organisms (plants or animals) or on organic matter (dead organisms, detritus) the geographic occurrence of a population or species the number of species in a given area the study of ways that organisms interact with each other and with their abiotic environment a system of ecological relationships all the living and non-living components that constitute and organisms surroundings dormant organs of vegetative growth on a stem the enrichment of lakes and waterways as a result of the leaching of nutrients. this often causes an excessive growth of aquatic plants. it is commonly produced by effluents such as fertilisers and sewage a plant or animal introduced form another region a simple series representing the transfer of food and energy from plants through herbivores to carnivores a net of interwoven food chains a plant community dominated by trees where the canopy of the trees shades more than 30% of the ground autotroph allelopathy biomass biosphere biota commensalism community competition consumer distribution diversity ecology ecosystem environment epicormic buds eutrophication exotic food chain food web forest genus herbivore larva micro climate micro habitat mutualism niche organism parasite perennial photosynthesis quadrat respiration sclerophyll species succession symbiosis terrestrial transect transpiration trophic trophic level wetland woodland a taxonomic group of closely related species eg. Eucalyptus, Acacia an animal which feed upon living plants the immature form at birth or hatching of some groups of animals such as insects, molluscs and frogs, requiring metamorphosis to reach adult form the meteorological conditions, or climate, in a small area the different parts of the habitat that an individual encounters symbiosis which advantages both species the place or role of an organism in a community; all the components of the environment with which an organism interacts any living thing an organism that consumes part of the tissue of its host a regular event; usually an herbaceous plant or shrub which lives from year to year production by plants of organic compounds from water and carbon dioxide using energy absorbed from light a sampling frame, or an area marked out for sampling flora and fauna in a study area breathing; the oxidation of organic molecules within a cell to release energy hard-leathery leaves that aid in moisture retention – usually applied to eucalypt forests and woodlands a group of similar individuals that are capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring the process by which one plant community replaces another usually refers to a mutually beneficial relationship between species, but may include parasitism and commensalism relating to the land a line or narrow strip, used in censuses of organisms in a given area evaporation of water from plants, usually the leaves refers to nutrition position in the food chain; primary consumers (herbivores) are on the first trophic level, secondary consumers (carnivores) are on the second or third levels an area of low lying land that is irregularly, regularly or permanently covered with either fresh or salt water plant communities dominated by trees whose canopies shade less than 30% of the ground Definitions drawn substantially from A Natural Legacy, Pergamon 1986