Galston High School Science Department

GALSTON HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT TASK 1

YEAR 11

ASSESSMENT TASK 1: FIRST HAND INVESTIGATION

ASSESSMENT TASK 1 / DUE DATE:5/4/12 / WEIGHTING: 15%
TOPIC: LOCAL ENVIRONMENT / NAME:
FACULTY: SCIENCE / CLASS: / TEACHER:

THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT: Checking the Pulse of the Hawkesbury - An Environmental Assessment Report

PART A

1. Read through the "Scenario" in your excursion workbook.

As an environmental scientist you need to understand howhumans impact on the local environmet in many different ways. Our understanding of how geological, landform, soil, hydrological and biological features of an environment interact to create a local environment forms the basis of our understanding of local environments and how we can manage them.

We need to be able to analyse those aspects of the environment that have been affected by humans, describe the impacts, identify the causes of these impacts and propose realistic solutions to any problems which exist by emphasising ecologically sustainable development strategies.

a) Describe the relationship between geology, landscape, soils and vegetation in the field study area. Include the ridge tops, slopes and floodplains in your answer.

b) Identify the human impacts on this local environment.

c) Explain the natural Resource Management Issues in the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment.

PART B

Investigation Task

a) Create a 'site profile' of the study area which includes all current physical and biological features of the park (farming, vegetation, accommodation, recreational use). Include photographic evidence in this section. Make sure you also include important descriptive aspects such as location (map), aspect, size, number of people that use the facility, climate.

b) Using the data you gathered on the field trip, write a detailed conclusion on the water quality of the study area. Make sure you include hydrological, biological and physio-chemical features.

c) Using photographic evidence and gathered data, write a detailed conclusion on the riverbank and riparian zone health status. Make sure your answer addresses the following question: What are the three major roles of riverbank and riparian zones in maintaining a healthy river system? Identify the major issues impacting on the riverbank / riparian zone and list their potential to impact on water quality.

d) Describe the conditions that lead to blue-green algal growth. How do algae help us to determine and monitor the health of a river. From your results what does the algal growth present at the site indicate about the health of the river.

PART C - DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION

a) Write a detailed discussion on the effect of human actions in this area. This discussion should include an analysis of the human impact on soils, vegetation, landscape and water.

b) Write a detailed conclusion and recommendation which addresses the three areas of development as outlined in the introduction scenario for Ulinbawn Ski Park. In your answer, make sure you use your results and findings to determine the suitability of Commercial Growth, Public Recreation and Ecolcogical Integrity as outlined by the corporation and make a suggestion for appropriate sustainable development of the area based on your conclusions.

MARKING GUIDELINES

REQUIREMENTS / MARKS AWARDED / TOTAL
PART A / a)Relationship between geology, landscape soil, vegetation / 0 Non Attempt / 5Describes all aspects and the relationship between them / 10Gives a detailed description and analysis of relationship between all aspects / / 25
/15
b) Identify human Impacts / 0
Non attempt / 2
Identifies some impacts / 5
Identifies all impacts and discusses
c) Explains Natural Resource Management issues / 0
Non attempt / 5
Identifies some issues / 10
Identifies and explains the issues
PART B / a) Site profile / 0
Non attempt / 5
Basic description / 10
All information displayed with map and photographs / /25
b)water quality / 0
Non attempt / 2
Basic information / 5
Detailed conclusion includes all features
c)River bank / 0
Non attempt / 2
Basic description / 5
Detailed description, answers questions
d)Algae / 0
Non attempt / 2
Describes conditions / 5
Describes conditions and answers questions
PART C / a) Discussion / 0
Non attempt / 5
Basic discussion / 10
Discusses all human actions and their effects, analyses impacts / /20
b) Conclusion and recommendation / 0
Non attempt / 5
Basic conclusion / 10
Addresses all areas of development and makes a suggestion for sustainable development
TOTAL / /70