CASE STUDY 2: MINAMURRA FALLS CASE STUDY – ECOSYSTEMS AT RISK
1. Name and Locate (Latitude, Longitude, Distance, Direction, Site, Situation, Continuity,
Altitude)
Spatial Patterns and Dimensions:
Label the Subtropical and Warm Temperate Rainforest diagrams below with the correct titles. (Go to
Botanical Gardens of NSW website of Subtropical and Warm Temperate Rainforest if diagrams don’t
open)
Describe the pattern of climate at
Minamurra Falls (rainfall, temperature,
seasonal variations, even/uneven,
numbers, months)
Get some tracing paper or an overhead plastic sheet.
Use a RED PENCIL or HIGHLIGHTER and trace the NPWS (National Park at Minamurra) boundary
Then HIGHLIGHT in TWO DIFFERENT COLOURS the Subtropical and Warm Temperate rainforest
only. What proportion of the National Park is rainforest from your highlighting? Is it continuous?
BIOPHYSICAL INTERACTIONS
Draw arrows in the margin and label the Canopy, Emergents, Forest Floor.
You can approach interactions in a number of ways – using Biosphere, Lithosphere, Atmosphere and
Biosphere interactions OR individual interactions such as food chains, food webs, soil, climate,
vegetation interactions.
In the boxes below list and explain SIX interactions. This means explaining CAUSE -> EFFECT or HOW
ONE THING IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT LEADS TO ANOTHER REACTION.
MAPPING SKILLS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the contour interval of the map?
Trace the escarpment onto a plastic sheet or tracing paper. Trace the Minamurra River and put arrows on it to
show its direction of flow.
What evidence is there on the map that the Minamurra river area is a steep environment?
What aspect does the Minamurra Falls area face? How does this affect the location of the ecosystem?
HSC TOPIC 1: SYLLABUS REQUIREMENTS: Ecosystems at Risk
Time Allocation: 40 indicative hours
The focus of this study is a geographical investigation of the functioning of ecosystems at risk, their management
and protection.
The student:
H1 explains the changing nature, spatial patterns and interaction of ecosystems, urban places and
economic activity
H2 explains the factors which place ecosystems at risk and the reasons for their protection
H5 evaluates environmental management strategies in terms of ecological sustainability
H6 evaluates the impacts of, and responses of people to, environmental change
H7 justifies geographical methods applicable and useful in the workplace and relevant to a changing
world
H8 plans geographical inquiries to analyse and synthesise information from a variety of sources
H9 evaluates geographical information and sources for usefulness, validity and reliability
H10 applies maps, graphs and statistics, photographs and fieldwork to analyse and integrate data in
geographical contexts
H11 applies mathematical ideas and techniques to analyse geographical data
H12 explains geographical patterns, processes and future trends through appropriate case studies and
illustrative examples
H13 communicates complex geographical information, ideas and issues effectively, using appropriate
written and/or oral, cartographic and graphic forms.
Students learn about:
ecosystems and their management
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biophysical interactions which lead to diverse ecosystems and their functioning
vulnerability and resilience of ecosystems
–
impacts due to natural stress
–
impacts due to human induced modifications to energy flows, nutrient cycling, and relationships
between biophysical components
the importance of ecosystem management and protection
–
maintenance of genetic diversity
–
utility values
–
intrinsic values
–
heritage values
–
need to allow natural change to proceed
evaluation of traditional and contemporary management strategies.
TWO case studies of different ecosystems at risk to illustrate their unique characteristics including:
–
spatial patterns and dimensions: location, altitude, latitude, size, shape and continuity
–
biophysical interactions including:
– the dynamics of weather and climate
– geomorphic and hydrologic processes such as earth movements, weathering, erosion, transport
and deposition, soil formation
– biogeographical processes: invasion, succession, modification, resilience
– adjustments in response to natural stress
–
the nature and rate of change which affects ecosystem functioning
–
human impacts (both positive and negative)
–
traditional and contemporary management practices.
The selected ecosystems at risk could include areas such as coastal dunes, freshwater wetlands,
intertidal wetlands, coral reefs, arid areas, alpine areas, rainforests, temperate forests.
SUMMARY SHEET FOR CASE STUDY2: MINAMURRA RAINFOREST
Spatial Patterns and
Dimensions
Biophysical Interactions
(cause and effect)
Nature and Rate of
Change
Human Impacts both
positive and negative
Traditional and
Contemporary Practices
Reasons for Protection
Environmental
Management
Strategies relating to
Sustainability
Geographical Methods
and Tools to gain
information and data
Validity and Reliability
of Data
(look at the sources
supplied and
used...climate data, maps,
links to other sources)
Future trends
Sketch map skills
Draw a Precis map of the
area based on the
Topographic Map and the
Vegetation map. Show
river, escarpment,outline
of park and rainforest
vegetation distribution.
Aerial Photo
Section from Topographic Map
SUMMARY SHEET FOR CASE STUDY1: CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS
Spatial Patterns and
Dimensions
Biophysical Interactions
(cause and effect)
Nature and Rate of
Change
Human Impacts both
positive and negative
Traditional and
Contemporary Practices
Reasons for Protection
Environmental
Management
Strategies relating to
Sustainability
Geographical Methods
and Tools to gain
information and data
Validity and Reliability
of Data
(look at the sources
supplied and
used...climate data, maps,
links to other sources)
Future trends
Sketch map skills
Draw a Precis map of the
area based on the
Topographic Map and the
Vegetation map. Show
river, escarpment,outline
of park and rainforest
vegetation distribution.