Ecosystem Dynamics at Georges River National Park
Biology
Bring ecological science to life in this focused Stage 6 fieldwork program, where students investigate how abiotic factors shape the distribution, behaviour, and interactions of living organisms within a forest ecosystem. This program will focus on sandstone geology vegetation, hollow bearing trees and sulphur-crested cockatoos; their niche and interactions within the ecosystem.
Students will engage in a series of investigations designed to generate valid, reliable data to answer key inquiry questions about ecosystem structure and the influence of environmental variables. Throughout the day, students will identify potential risks, plan safe procedures, and apply authentic scientific fieldwork techniques to build confidence, competency, and curiosity as developing ecologists.
Fieldwork activities include:
- measuring abiotic factors such as light intensity, temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, soil moisture, soil depth, soil colour, and soil texture
- conducting a belt transect survey of Sydney red gum (Angophora) populations, recording saplings, juveniles, mature non-hollow-bearing, and mature hollow-bearing trees
- observing bushland fauna, with a focus on sulphur-crested cockatoos and their ecological niche
- predicting potential niche overlap with other species and considering the consequences for cockatoo populations and those of competing species.
Across this immersive experience, students will analyse relationships between abiotic and biotic components, use key standardised sampling techniques, observe species interactions, and develop a deeper understanding of how environmental factors influence ecosystem dynamics.
Recommended for up to three classes per day.
Location
Essential information
| Year | Cost |
| 2025/26 |
|
Cancellation or major changes to bookings will incur the following cancellation fees:
- within 30 days of excursion or incursion date - $600 administration fee charged
- within 7 days of excursion/incursion date - total fee charged based on confirmed student numbers
| Time | Classes 1 | Classes 2 | Class 3 |
| 9.30am | Arrival - introduction and toilets | ||
| 10.00am - 11.00am | Red-gum transect | Abiotic testing | Cockatoo survey |
| 11.00am - 12.20pm | Cockatoo survey | Red-gum transect | Abiotic testing |
| 12.20pm - 1.00pm | Lunch and toilets | ||
| 1.00pm - 2.00pm | Abiotic testing | Cockatoo survey | Red-gum transect |
| 2.00pm - 2.30pm | Conclude and depart |
Biology Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
Course Outcomes
BIO11-1 develops and evaluates questions and hypotheses for scientific investigation.
BIO11-2 designs and evaluates investigations in order to obtain primary and secondary data and information.
BIO11-3 conducts investigations to collect valid and reliable primary and secondary data and information.
BIO11-11 analyses ecosystem dynamics and the interrelationships of organisms within the ecosystem.
Content
Population Dynamics
Inquiry question: What effect can one species have on the other species in a community?
Students:
- investigate and determine relationships between biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem, including: (ACSBL019)
- the impact of abiotic factors
- the impact of biotic factors, including predation, competition and symbiotic relationships
the ecological niches occupied by species
- predicting consequences for populations in ecosystems due to predation, competition, symbiosis and disease
- measuring populations of organisms using sampling techniques
Biology Stage 6 Syllabus © 2017 NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2017.
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