Living World - Waterbirds and Wetlands

Our wetlands are rich in biodiversity and home to many endangered plant communities and animal species. Over a quarter of birds found in Australia have been recorded here.

On this field trip students will immerse themselves in the habitats of the local and international waterbirds and shorebirds that live in and visit the protected wetlands of Sydney Olympic Park. Students will use a combination of observation, scientific measurement and data collection methods to determine if the wetland habitats of Sydney Olympic Park can support the needs of local, national and migratory waterbirds and shorebirds.

Throughout the day, students will work in small groups to gather data and observe waterbird and shorebird habitat at Sydney Olympic Park. Activities include map reading and interpretation, undertaking a field sketch, measuring and recording abiotic features, conducting a bird survey as well as determining water quality through aquatic organism identification. Throughout the day, students will be provided with information to assess ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural practices and knowledge of this wetland environment contribute to the conservation and management of sustainable ecosystems.

The students will be using scientific equipment to assist them with their investigations. All of the data collected will be recorded by the students and their results then compared with current research data used to answer the field trip question “How effectively has this wetland been constructed and managed to provide a habitat for local and international waterbirds?”

Knowledge and Understanding:

SC5-14LW - Analyses interactions between components and processes within biological systems

SC5-2VA - Shows a willingness to engage in finding solutions to science-related personal, social and global issues, including shaping sustainable futures

SC5-4WS - Develops questions or hypothesis to be investigated scientifically

SC5-6WS - Undertakes first-hand investigations to collect valid and reliable data and information, individually and collaboratively

SC5-7WS - Processes, analyses and evaluates data from first-hand investigations and secondary sources to develop evidence-based arguments and conclusions

Content:

LW2-e Assess ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural practices and knowledge of the environment contribute to the conservation and management of sustainable ecosystems

LW2-a Recall that ecosystems consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment

LW2-b Outline using an example how matter is cycled through ecosystems

LW2-c Describe how energy flows through ecosystems, including input and output through food webs

LW2-d Analyse how changes in some biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem affect populations and/or communities

LW2-f Evaluate some examples in ecosystems of strategies used to balance conserving, protecting and maintaining the quality and sustainability of the environment with human activities and needs

Skills:

WS4-a Formulate questions or hypothesis that can be investigated scientifically

WS6-a Individually and collaboratively using appropriate investigation methods including fieldwork and laboratory experimentation and collect reliable data

WS7.2-a Analyse patterns and trends including identifying inconsistencies in data and information

WS7.2-f Evaluate conclusions and evidence including identifying sources of uncertainty and possible alternative explanations