BOTN 2003 Plant Science Field Studies
LIABILITY RELEASE AND EXPRESS ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Please read carefully and fill in all blanks before signing.
For field course on Stradbroke Island from June 23th – 26th 2006
I
, hereby affirm that I thoroughly understand the
hazards of snorkeling and tidal flat walking. I understand that these hazards include but
are not limited to drowning, slipping or falling, being stung or bitten by marine animals,
being cut or struck while moving around on the tidal flat. I am aware that when
snorkeling it is possible to damage my ears and I will ask for tuition if I am not familiar
with equalizing my ears while snorkeling. By signing this release, I certify that I am fully
aware of and expressly assume these and all other risks involved in taking part in such
activities.
I have read and understand the Risk Assessment Sheet for
BOTN2003
PRINTED NAME
SIGNATURE
DATE
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Address
Contact phone number
Email address
Emergency contact
(name, phone no., relationship)
please take this signed sheet to the student help desk in the Goddard building
together with your payment slip.
BOTN2003 Marine and Terrestrial Plant Sciences 23-26 June 2006
Purpose/ Goal: To design and carry out ecological and ecophysiological research of
Stradbroke Island’s marine and terrestrial plant communities.
The course introduces you to the ecology and ecophysiology of terrestrial and marine
ecosystems on and around Stradbroke Island. The field component of BOTN2003 is
designed to introduce you to the field of marine and terrestrial botany through hands-on
experience. Your main objectives, in collaboration with experienced researchers and
postgraduate student tutors, will be to conduct a field study in selected plant communities
of Stradbroke Island and Moreton Bay, to complete a group presentation, and an
individual written report detailing the measurements and observations you made in the
field. In your project work you will learn a range of techniques spanning from floristic
surveys, physiological measurements to the assessment of environmental variables. We
will look at pertinent problems relating to environmental weeds, mine rehabilitation,
structure and function of plants and plant communities, and species diversity and function
in marine and terrestrial contexts to gain ecological understanding of these ecosystems.
1. Field schedule
DAY 1
DATE /TIME
23 June Saturday
DAY 2
24 June Sunday
DAY 3
25 June Monday
DAY 4
26 June Tuesday
EVENT
10.00 meet at Moreton Bay Research Station
10.05 Introduction to Island and Moreton Bay
11.30 Lunch
12.00 Field visits terrestrial and marine ecosystems
17.30 Dinner
18.30 Discussion/presentations of research projects
6.30 breakfast
7.30 Project field studies – all day (field/lab/computer lab)
17.30 Dinner
18.30 Project Team Presentations of activities
6.30 breakfast
7.30 Project work (field/labs)
10.00 Project Team Presentations Terrestrial Section
11.30 Lunch
12.00 Project work (field/labs, preparing presentation)
17.30 Dinner
18.30-21.00: Discussion/dry run of team presentations of
research projects
7.00 breakfast
7.30 Project work (final activities/preparing presentation)
13.00 Lunch
14.00 Final Project Team Presentations Terrestrial & Marine
16.00 Completion of course
2. Reference materials for Course Preparation and write-ups
References for TERRESTRIAL SECTION
CLIFFORD HT, SPECHT RL (1970). The vegetation of north Stradbroke Island, University of
Queensland press.
WILD GUIDE TO MORETON BAY (QLD Museum)
General plant textbooks:
Plant Ecology (e.g. Plant Ecology, Schulze et al. Springer Verlag 2002)
Plant Physiology
Physiological Ecology of Tropical Plants (Luettge)
Weed ecology papers
(e.g. look for EICA Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability, Blossey and Notzold 1995), and
Enemy Release Hypothesis (Keane and Crawley 2002)
Mining rehabilitation papers
We will also bring selected papers and you will have access to internet facilities at the research
station to download papers. The Station also has a library with selected books. Upon return to the
University, papers will be available (box outside Susanne’s office).
References for MARINE SECTION
DENNISON, W.C, & ABAL, E.G. 1999. Moreton Bay Study: A Scientific Basis for the Healthy
Waterways Campaign, South East Queensland Regional Water Quality Management
Strategy C/- Brisbane City Council, 245 pp.
LARKUM, A.W.D., MCCOMB, A.J. & SHEPHERD, S.A. 1989. Biology of Seagrasses. A
treatise on the biology of seagrasses with special reference to the Australian region,
Elsevier.
LEE, R.E. 1999. Phycology, Cambridge University Press, 614 pp.
LOVELOCK, C. 1993. Field guide to the mangroves of Queensland. Townsville, Australian
Institute of Marine Science, 72 pp.
HEMMINGA, M.A. & DUARTE, C.M. 2000. Seagrass Ecology, Cambridge University Press,
298 pp.
TIBBETTS, I., HALL, N., & DENNISON, W.C. 1998. Moreton Bay and catchment, University
of Queensland, School of Marine Science, 645 pp.
TOMLINSON, P. B. 1986. The Botany of Mangroves. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press,
413 pp.
3. Fieldwork Risk Assessment
Fieldwork
Activity
Snorkeling
Hazards
General
Risks
(Initial estimate)
Various
Physical exertion and
cramp during snorkeling as
result of physical fitness,
or current
High (drowning)
Saltwater aspiration
Low
Ear and sinus squeeze
Low
Marine bites, stings or cuts.
High
Getting to far away from
base (tender or South
passage)
High
Injury with boat prop
High
Control Measures
(to bring risks to an acceptable level)
 Relevant standard: The University
Snorkeling Safety Manual
 First aid kit and radio communication
made available
 Snorkel gear will be checked by safety
officer before initial use.
 Snorkel check will be done before
commencing the trip by safety officer.
 Only experienced snorkellers.
 If the current is considered too strong
snorkeling will not occur.
 Not more physical exercise then person
can handle
 Take floating devise, life vest or wetsuit
 Trained in cramp removal techniques
 Blowing water out of snorkel before
breathing in.
 Do not snorkel in rough weather
 Do not snorkel to deep so that not enough
breath left to blow water out.
 Equalize when diving underwater
 Equalizing reminder in snorkel brief.
 Do not dive underwater when having a
cold
 Only touch marine life which are known
not to sting, bite or results in cuts.
 Only use gloves or booties when
touching marine life which stings or
results in cuts.
 Use protective clothing (wet suit) to
protect from stingers
 Do not rub eyes when marine life has
been touched.
 At least one of the field crew is to keep
watch on the snorkeler at all times during
the sampling.
 Check surface supervisor regularly every
5 min (1 surface lookout per 10
snorkelers)
 Communication (airhorn, handsignals
(ok, not ok, ok but pick up)
 Awareness of nearby boating activities
 Watch for instruction of the boathandler
before approaching boat.
 Tender boat driver needs coaxens licence
Snorkeling
(continue)
Sun exposure
High


Dehydration
Low risk



Hypothermia
High risk


Overweighed using weight
belt risk of drowning
Data collection in
direct sunlight
and marine
environment
Currents
Falling on somebody while
entering water (roll
backwards or giant stride
entry)
Sun exposure
High Risk


Medium


High risk


Dehydration
Low risk

Hypothermia
High risk

Snorkeler or swimmer
cannot stay in position
without heavy physical
exercise.
Snorkeler/swimmer gets
lost from initial position
and drowns
High




Seagrass Coring
during snorkeling.
Physical Exercise
underwater with breath
hold diving causing
blackout drowning.
Cutting on site of the core
Medium



Low

Boating
Engine failure, sinking, run
a-ground, person
overboard, fire
High risk

Sampling scheduled outside of peak
insulation (11am –2pm) when possible.
All snorkelers required/advised to wear
hats, clothing and UV sunblock.
Drink enough water before snorkeling
Take appropriate protection when
snorkeling like proper wet suit.
Take appropriate protection for wind
protection and to stay dry for when
getting out of the water.
Weightbelts usage will be reduced as
much as possible.
Snorkeler should not have more weights
then that will just keep him on eye level
while breathing constantly.
Snorkeler will be trained in using the
quick release of the weight belt.
Snorkeler will remove weights before
fins
Proper entry techniques trained
Check of nothing in the water before
entering in the water.
Sampling scheduled outside of peak
insulation (11am –2pm) when possible.
Shelter provided on boat. All field crew
required/advised to wear hats, clothing,
sunglasses and UV sunblock.
Drink enough water before and during
data collection
Take appropriate protection for wind
protection and to stay dry.
When current is to strong to swim
comfortably abandon snorkeling or swim
Snorkel will within 250 m of surface
support or 50 m of boat
Swim (no snorkel, no mask, no wetsuit,
no weights) within 50 m from South
passage
A 50 m Jesus line with buoy will be
attached at back of the boat at all times
when people are entering water.
Reduce work load underwater to a
minimum.
Instruction in proper use of core
Do not hyperventilate before breath hold
diving
Do not place hands inside core while
sampling.
All boating activities will be conducted
according to the boating safety
regulations established by University of
Queensland and according to the skipper
Plankton tows
Falling overboard
High
Seagrass walk
Marine cuts
Low
Video handling
and operation
Loading the equipment in
and out of dive boat
Low risk of
back/shoulder
injury
Low
High value loss
High
Survey
snorkelling using
measurement tape
or other long
ropes, hoses
Loss of equipment over
reef or open water
Entanglement











Collection and
Processing of
Lyngbya
majuscula
Exposure to toxic
cyanobacterium, contact
dermatitis, inhalation
Low
Food Poisoning
Becoming ill from eating
contaminated food
Low
Laboratory work
Stepping on sharp objects,
cuts, exposure to chemicals






Mangrove Walk/
Fieldwork
General
Various



Marine bites, stings or cuts.
Medium



Getting to far away from
base
High
Injury with boat prop
High





Exposure/Dehydration
High

Awareness of divers and snorkelers
Student hold on to rails at all times
Remain below rail height
Tendet stays within site of south passage
No bare feet, proper foot ware to be worn
prefer walking on sand
All video units to be secured with safety
lines to deck fittings.
GPS position determined at each site
before deployment of instruments
do not use to many different, line, cables,
etc, etc on same time
use proper devise to roll tape, line or
cables on to.
Proper instruction in use of tapes, robes
or cables.
Gloves will be worn at all time during
collection and handling
Lyngbya will be stored in ventilated areas
in large containers with ample water
supply and aeration
Good personal hygiene
Wash hands prior after all field and lab
work and prior to a meal
Wear covered shoes in laboratory at all
times
Wear protective clothing, glasses and
gloves when using HCl
Relevant standard: The University
Snorkelling Safety Manual
First aid kit and radio communication
made available on the South passage.
Snorkel gear will be checked by safety
officer before initial use.
Only touch marine life which are known
not to sting, bite or results in cuts.
Only use gloves or booties when
touching marine life which stings or
results in cuts.
Use protective clothing (wet suit booties
or hard sole shoes) to protect from
stingers
Do not rub eyes when marine life has
been touched.
Do not venture away from the main
group
The group must carry a GPS or compass
Awareness of nearby boating activities
Watch for instruction of the boathandler
before approaching boat.
Tender boat driver needs coaxen s licence
 Wear sunscreen, hat, protective layers of
clothing appropriate for walking in the
climate and amongst mangroves and always
carry water, drinking regularly
Terrestrial
Field- and
laboratory work
Snake bites
low


Moving slowly and noisily
First aid kit, car nearby to access doctor
Injury from moving
through vegetation
low

Moving slowing through vegetation,
appropriate clothing, enclosed shoes, first
aid kid
Sun exposure/dehydration
high

Sun block, hat, protective clothing,
sufficient water intake (water bottle)
Injury/poisoning from
chemicals
medium

Appropriate laboratory procedures, wear
gloves, follow tutors instructions