Download Unit 2 SAC 3 File

Outdoor and Environmental Studies
Unit 2 Outcome 1 SAC 2
Name:____________________/50
(From summer bushfires to winter snowfalls )
Some major vegetation types in an Alpine environment are Snow Gum woodland, Open heath and bogs, Alpine Ash
forest.
epicormic buds
Root suckers
Question 1
a Use a specific example to describe one short term effect of fire on the vegetation in an Alpine area. (1 mark)
b Use a specific example to describe one medium term effect of fire on the vegetation in an Alpine area. (1 mark)
(1-5 years)
c Use a specific example to describe one short term effect of fire on the fauna in an Alpine area (1 mark)
d Use a specific example to describe one medium term effect of fire on the fauna in an Alpine area (1 mark)
(1-5 years)
e Describe one positive and one negative effect that fire has had on a forested outdoor environment. (2 marks)
positive
negative
f Describe two possible effects on the soil after this fire (2 marks)
g Describe one short term and one long term effect on the water collected in this catchment area since this fire (2marks)
Short term
Long term
Question 2
a i Describe in detail one possible natural change in vegetation in an alpine environment between daylight hours and
night. (2 marks)
ii Describe in detail one possible natural change in vegetation in an alpine environment between summer and
winter. (2 marks)
b i Describe in detail one possible natural change associated with fauna in an alpine environment between daylight
hours and night. (2 marks)
ii Describe in detail one possible natural change associated with fauna in an alpine environment between summer
and winter. (2 marks)
Question 4
“The alpine area is unique and other flora species such as the Mountain Ash and Snow gum were affected by fires. These trees don’t
regenerate after fire in the same way as other species of eucalypt and are extremely susceptible to fire.”
The Mountain Ash, while fire-adapted and recognisably a eucalypt is unlike many other eucalypts. It has no insulating bark, no
lignotuber and does not sprout from epicormic buds, features which make it fire sensitive. It releases large quantities of seeds after
intense crown fires, which are encouraged by the long strings of hanging bark and the extreme combustibility of the foliage.
c Describe how a mature forest of mountain ash can be destroyed (wiped out, completely disappeared)by fire (2marks)
d Describe a survival strategy of mountain ash to survive a fire (1mark)
e Describe a survival strategy of snow gums to sustain a fire (1mark)
f Describe a survival strategy of messmate Eucalypts to sustain a fire (1mark)
g Describe a survival strategy of a tree fern to sustain a fire (1mark)
Question 5 a Define the two main types of succession, using an example for each (4 marks)
1
2
b Complete this table with a description for each (be specific and use OES terminology) 4 marks
Long term changes following a fire (after 10 years)
plants
animals
soil
water
Question 5
Mountain Pygmy-possum Recovery Plan
“The Mount Buller alpine resort is home to a population of Australia's iconic alpine possum - the endangered Mountain
Pygmy possum (Burramys parvus). Habitat degradation and fragmentation, predation and climate change threaten its
existence across the Australian Alps. When serious declines in Pygmy-possum numbers were observed between 2001
and 2003, the ARMB, in partnership with BSL and the DSE, developed a five-year Recovery Plan to protect the species
and its habitat. The Recovery Plan is now being reviewed and updated to direct conservation actions for a further 5
years. It will be a guide for the continued management of the species, learning from and building on the previous plan's
positive outcomes. Annual monitoring of the population continues with better than expected results.” Environmental
notes for the resort
In recent years large areas of Mountain Pigmy Possum habitat has been damaged by fire. These fires had a
devastating effect on the Possum’s population in the area.
a Describe two ways the Mountain Pygmy Possum may have been able to escape or survive a habitat fire
(2marks)
1
2
b If the possum survived the fire, describe two threats to its ongoing survival following the fire (2 marks)
1
2
Effect of fire on wildlife populations
Like plants, many of our native wildlife species have evolved to survive fire events and some have even developed specialised
relationships with fire.
Question 6
Describe how the following animals may survive a fire (10 marks)
Birds
Kangaroos
Wombats
Reptiles
Spiders
Water birds
Frogs
Worms
Platypus
Snakes
b Describe the difference between a nocturnal species and a diurnal species. Give an example of each (2 mark)
c Explain the process of germination after a fire. (2 marks)