Web viewdescribes applications of Earth and Environmental Science which affect society or the environment . P7

1 River Ecology – EES & Sen.Sci.

The Local Environment / Water for Living“Checking the Pulse of the Hawkesbury River”

Name _______________________________________________________

PRELIMINARY COURSE OUTCOMES


Senior ScienceOutcomesP4 identifies applications of science that affect society and the environmentP7 explains relationships between organisms and the environmentP12 discusses the validity and reliability of data gathered from first – hand investigations and

secondary sourcesP13 identifies appropriate terminology and reporting styles to communicate information and

understanding in scienceP14 draws valid conclusions from gathered data and informationP15 implements strategies to work effectively as an individual or as a member of a teamP16 demonstrates positive values about and attitudes towards both the living and non-living

components of the environment, ethical behaviour and a desire for a critical evaluation of the consequences of the applications of science.

Earth and Environmental ScienceOutcomesP2 applies the processes that are used to test and validate models, theories and laws of science with particular emphasis on first-hand investigations in Earth and Environmental Science

P3 assesses the impact of particular technological advances on understanding in Earth and Environmental Science

P4 describes applications of Earth and Environmental Science which affect society or the environment

P7 identifies and describes the physical and chemical features of the environment

P10 describes human impact on the local environment

P11 identifies and implements improvements to investigation plans

P12 discusses the validity and reliability of data gathered from first-hand investigations and secondary sourcesP14 draws valid conclusions from gathered data and informationP15 implements strategies to work effectively as an individual or as a member of a teamP16 demonstrates positive values about, and attitudes towards, both the living and non-living components of the environment; ethical behaviour; and a desire for critical evaluation of the consequences of the applications of science.

HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUESAs you are working out in the field you need to be aware that;

Ground materials can be slippery

Edges of the river can be quite deep and muddy

Some animals can deliver painful or venomous bites

SCENARIO

3 River Ecology – EES & Sen.Sci.Ulinbawn Ski Park has recently been purchased by a large corporation that intends to develop

the park as a model for sustainable business practice. The Corporation has identified three

areas for major consideration in its planning and development process; commercial growth,

public recreation and ecological integrity.

Commercial Growth – The Corporation’s financial planning department has identified

the need to generate a secure and sustainable source of income to ensure the long

term viability of the park. To achieve this, they have recommended the continuation of

the park’s agricultural production component and an upgrade of the existing onsite

accommodation and recreational features of the park.

Public Recreation – The Corporation recognises the role of the park as a valuable

place for recreational activities within the local and wider community. It is committed to

maintaining the park’s ability to offer a range of water based activities, in particular,

water skiing. Additional recreational activities that may be included within the park will

be considered in future planning.

Ecological Integrity – Underpinning all of the development proposals is an

unconditional commitment to ecological sustainability. The Corporation intends to

implement strategies aimed at restoring the health and biodiversity of the aquatic and

terrestrial ecosystems that exist within and around the park.

INVESTIGATION TASKManagement has requested a detailed assessment and report on the current ecological status

of the park. This report will inform all future decision making and provide a basis from which

ecosystem rehabilitation can begin. The report will require a detailed assessment of the

following areas:

Water quality (hydrological, biological and physio-chemical)

Riverbank and riparian zone health (erosion, run-off and biodiversity)

Site profile of the current physical features of the park (accommodation/

recreation/farming and vegetation).

Pre Visit Tasks


1. What is a catchment?_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

2. Use the web to identify and describe the location and nature of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment.

Location: ________________________________________________________

Size: ____________________________________________________________

Nature: __________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

3. Who is responsible for the management and health of the catchment?_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Field Study TasksNatural Resource Management Issues in the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment

5 River Ecology – EES & Sen.Sci.Use the cards given to you to assess one of the major issues affecting catchment health.

Post Visit See your classmates to complete the above mind map for the other issues affecting catchment health.

Issue:

6 River Ecology – EES & Sen.Sci.Collecting and Monitoring AlgaeMonitoring for Favourable Algal Conditions – this activity is about monitoring weather and water conditions that favour blue-green algal blooms. These include water velocity, wind speed and direction and water temperature.

A. Water VelocityWater velocity is a measure of how fast the water is moving past a point in metres per second. Low flows increase the possibility of blue-green algal blooms. Velocity = Distance divided by time

Use the following table as a guide to interpreting your results.

Metres / Second Water VelocityLess than 0.1m / s Little or no water velocity0.1 – 0.2m / s Low0.2 – 1 m / s MediumMore than 1 m / s HighUse the procedure sheet to calculate the water velocity.

Result ___________________________________________

B. Wind Speed and DirectionWater currents and mixing of the water column are driven by wind. Under low wind speeds, scums may develop downwind, but at higher wind speeds the bloom may not be visible as algal cells are driven lower in the water column.

□ No wind□ Low wind□ Moderate wind□ High wind

Result: _________________________________________

C. TemperatureWater temperature is an important factor in determining the dominance of an algal group in a water body. Although blue-green algae tend to be dominant in warmer temperatures, blooms can still occur in cold waters.

Result: _________________________________________

Interpreting your results.Under low flow and wind, (and sometimes high temperatures) you should attempt to sample more often, to get an early warning of developing blue-green algal blooms. Rate the weather and water conditions that favour blue-green algal blooms.□ No Risk

□ Low Risk□ Moderate Risk□ High Risk


Water Quality Assessment Field Data Collection SheetSample Site Location: Date:Sample Collection Start Time: Sample Collection Finish Time:

Meteorological Conditions: 24hrs; Meteorological Conditions: 48 - 120hrs;

Tide: ebb tide [Low] / flood tide [high]

Hydrological Parameters

Parameter

Uni

ts o

f m

easu

rem

ent

Site number Site Description Sackville Ferry Study Site (see study site map)

Width of the River metres N/A

Dep

th a

t S

ampl

e S

ite metres 1 Cliffs

metres 2 Middle

metres 3 Caravan Beach

Flow

ra

te metres / minute N/A in the

middle

Biological Parameters

Parameter Species Diversity Species ID

Taste and Odour

imparting

Filter Clogging

Organisms

Polluted Water

Species

Other surface water

phytoplankton

Phy

topl

ankt

on

iden

tific

atio

n

1

2

3

4

5

Parameter Species Diversity Family ID very tolerant tolerant sensitive very sensitive

mac

ro in

verte

brat

e id

entif

icat

ion

1

2

3

4

5

6

Physio-chemical Water Quality Parameters

8 River Ecology – EES & Sen.Sci.Parameter &

Units of Measuremen

t

Site

N

umbe

r

Site Description

ANZECC Trigger

Values for Ecosystem Protection

Sample Depth

1.0m 5.0m 10m or bottom

Temperature (Temp ) oC

1 Over near the Cliffs

N/A2 Middle of the River -3 Closest to the Caravans - -

pH


6.5 - 7.52 Middle of the River -3 Closest to the Caravans - -

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) % saturation


85 - 1102 Middle of the River -3 Closest to the Caravans - -

Dissolved Oxygen (DO)

mg/L


>52 Middle of the River -3 Closest to the Caravans - -

Electrical Conductivity (EC) uS/cm


200 - 3002 Middle of the River -3 Closest to the Caravans - -

Turbidity ntu


<502 Middle of the River -3 Closest to the Caravans - -

PO4

mg/L


0.022 Middle of the River -3 Closest to the Caravans - -

NOx

mg/L


0.042 Middle of the River -3 Closest to the Caravans - -


Riverbanks and Riparian ZonesRiverbanks and riparian zones link terrestrial and aquatic habitats and play a key role in determining the health of the waterway.

The three major roles are;

● Filtering sediment and nutrients entering the waterway

● Stabilising the soil and reducing erosion

● Creating a diverse array of plant and animal habitats (biodiversity)


Riverbank and Riparian Zone Assessment

1. Your task is to take photographic evidence (maximum 5 photos) to describe the 3 important roles of the riverbank and riparian zones.

These roles are; Filtering sediment and nutrients Stabilising soil and reducing erosion Providing a diverse array of plant and animal habitats (biodiversity)

What to look for; Riverbank vegetation - at the base or toe, slope and top (groundcovers, shrubs, trees) Aquatic vegetation sedges and rushes at water’s edge Intact habitat further away from the riverbank

Place your photographic evidence of the riverbank and riparian zone roles here


2. Identify 4 issues impacting on the riparian zone and list their potential impact on water quality. Take photographic evidence of these issues and place in the boxes provided.

Complete the table below.

Riverbank / Riparian Zone Issue Impact on Water Quality

1.

2.

3.

4.


Erosion Assessment

Use the following checklist to assess the erosion risk for the site. The site boundaries will be from one end of the beach to the other. This checklist is taken from “Guidelines for monitoring riverbank health in the Hawkesbury Nepean” (2002) NSW Department of Land and Water.




What measures would you recommend be undertaken to reduce the erosion risk of this site?

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________


Current Erosion Condition Assessment


Documents

Web viewdescribes applications of Earth and Environmental Science which affect society or the environment . P7