Download Investigating the Grassland Eco ST

Investigating the Grassland Ecosystem
Student Notes
VCE Biology Unit 2: Organisms in their environment
Area of Study 1:
Dynamic Ecosystems
Outcome Two:
Fieldwork Investigation
Victorian Volcanic Plains Grasslands
Australian Journey- Adaptations for survival
1.
Identify a plant species within the area you are observing. Make a field sketch or take a
photo of the plant in the space provided and complete the information.
Image
Plant name:__________________________________
Record one structural adaptation observed on the plant
that enables it to survive the low amount of rainfall that
occurs in this region.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
How may this adaptation aid the plants survival?
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Describe how this species was utilised by the
Wurundjeri that once lived in this region:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
Threatened grassland species
Zoos Victoria’s Fighting Extinction pledge has made a commitment to ensure that no land
based vertebrate in Victoria will go extinct on our watch.
You will meet a threatened species that the Zoo has committed to restoring to a viable
population in the wild through captive breeding and reintroduction.
2.
Complete the information about the Threatened species below:
Species name:
Conservation status:
Threats:
Details of conservation measures in place:
Limiting factors that determine the carrying capacity for EBBS in the Australian
Journey release site.
What can you do to help the species?
The Grassland Ecosystem in the Australian Journey
3.
As you move through the Australian Journey grasslands observe 2 biotic components
and record their details in the table below:
Organism
Evidence eg.
scats, sighting,
feather, etc
Producer or
consumer? (circle)
Producer
Primary consumer
Secondary consumer
Tertiary consumer
Producer
Primary consumer
Secondary consumer
Tertiary consumer
Inputs
Outputs
4. In terms of plant succession, suggest why the grasslands of the Victorian Volcanic
Plains have not been succeeded by woodlands:
.
Threatened Grasslands
Grasslands are considered to be one of the most threatened ecosystems in Australia. Less
than 0.5% of the original Victorian Volcanic Plains grasslands remain. This ecosystem is
listed as Critically Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999.
5. List the factors that are responsible for the loss of grasslands.
6. List the reasons why we need to preserve ecosystems such as grasslands.
.
Taking a closer look- Environmental Conditions:
Climatic characteristic to the Victorian Volcanic Plains grasslands:
Precipitation range: 250mm – 750mm
o
o
Temperature range: temperate climate <0 C - >35 C
7.
Record the current environmental conditions:
Date: ____________________
Time: ____________________
Temperature (circle):
Hot
Warm Cool
Precipitation (circle):
None
Light
Cloud cover: ________% cover
Cold
Heavy Constant
Intermittent?
Quadrat survey
8. You will be conducting quadrat surveys to determine the density and abundance of
species within the Zoo’s Australian Journey grasslands. The data you gather could be
compiled together and analysed back at school.
Names of group members: _____________________________________________
Quadrat size: ____________________
Study area size: __________________
Landform: _______________________
Geology: ________________________
Soil type: ________________________
Vegetation community: _____________
Quadrat 1
Slope: (circle)
steep/moderate/flat
Canopy cover:
Species
Quadrat 2
Slope: (circle)
steep/moderate/flat
Canopy cover:
Total
no.
Ground layer
%
cover
Species
%
cover
Ground layer
Quadrat 3
Slope: (circle)
steep/moderate/flat
Canopy cover:
Tota
l no.
%
cover
Species
%
cover
Ground layer
Total
no.
%
cover
%
cover
Rocks
Rocks
Rocks
Logs
Logs
Logs
Plant litter
Plant litter
Plant litter
Branches
Branches
Branches
Bare ground
Bare ground
Bare ground
Water
Water
Water
Evidence of artifacts:
Evidence of artifacts:
Evidence of artifacts:
Evidence of animals:
Evidence of animals:
Evidence of animals:
Vegetation quality: (circle)
Pristine/Intact/Disturbed/Very
disturbed
Notes:
Vegetation quality:
Pristine/Intact/Disturbed/Very
disturbed
Notes:
Vegetation quality:
Pristine/Intact/Disturbed/Very
disturbed
Notes:
4
Grasslands of the world
9. During your time at the zoo today observe the interactions occurring between living
things. Record one example of symbiosis, i.e., where 2 different organisms live and
function together with at least one of them benefitting from the relationship.
.
On Safari – the Lower Savanna
10. All of the animals observed in the Lower Savanna of the safari tour are herbivores from
the African savanna. Describe the niche that two different species occupy to avoid
competition for their food source.
Animal
Feeding niche
Back at School- Data Analysis
11. Compile your class results into the table below. Calculate the density and abundance of
each species within the grassland area that was studied. Refer to the formulas below:
Species density = no. of plants of the same species
2
Total area studied (m )
Species
No. of individuals
Species abundance = no. of plants of the same species
Total no. of plants
2
Species density (/m )
Species abundance (%)
Total no. =
12a. Based on the collated class data, which species appears to be the dominant species
within the Zoo’s grassland ecosystem?
12b. Comment on the effectiveness of using quadrat survey techniques to determine the
abundance and density of plants within an area.
x100
13. Prepare a ‘relationship web’ that illustrates the interrelationships between different kinds
of organisms in the Volcanic Plains grassland ecosystem, and between organisms and
their non-living surroundings. Use a key to indicate the trophic level that each organism
is functioning at.
14. Weeds are a constant issue within the grassland ecosystem at Werribee Open Range
Zoo. The horticulture team manages weeds through the use of biodegradable
herbicides. Explain why it is important that we only use biodegradable herbicides.
.
Conclusion
15. Describe the ecosystem you have considered during this fieldwork activity.
16. Provide one example of each of the following factors to explain how they are likely to
affect the distribution and abundance of organisms in the ecosystem.
a. An abiotic factor:
b. A biotic factor:
17. Suggest the importance of the different biotic and abiotic factors in this ecosystem.
(Hint: Refer to the ‘relationship web’ on pg 5.Consider the consequences if one factor is removed).
18. State at least 3 actions that you could take to conserve the grassland ecosystem.