Human impacts - introduced species
Earth and environmental science
How do introduced species affect the Australian environment and ecosystems?
This fieldwork experience at Simmos Beach Reserve on the Georges River provides students a day to work scientifically investigating the impact of carp and gambusia, two introduced aquatic species on local water quality, biodiversity, and native wildlife including the platypus, recognised in Australia as a Near Threatened species.
Students will conduct water-quality testing and macroinvertebrate and habitat surveys to build a scientific understanding of how introduced species can alter ecosystems, threaten native species, and shift ecological balance. Students collate primary and secondary field data to consider human activities that have favoured these species, cultural perspectives including those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and current management and mitigation strategies.
This authentic fieldwork experience develops students’ scientific inquiry skills while deepening their appreciation of the complex challenges facing Australia’s freshwater environments.
Maximum two 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 |
| 9.30am | Arrival - introduction, recess and toilets | |
| 10.00am - 11.30am | Investigating the impact of Gambusia | Investigating the impact of carp |
| 11.30am - 12.00pm | Lunch and toilets | |
| 12.00pm - 1.30pm | Investigating the impact of carp | Investigating the impact of Gambusia |
| 1.30pm - 2.00pm | Snack, conclude and depart |
Earth and Environmental Science Stage 6 (2017)
Outcomes:
A student:
- develops and evaluates questions for scientific investigation EES11/12-1
- designs and evaluates investigations in order to obtain primary and secondary data and information EES11/12-2
- conducts investigations to collect valid and reliable primary and secondary data and information EES11/12-3
- describes human impact on the Earth in relation to hydrological processes, geological processes and biological changes EES11-11
Content
Effects of Introduced Species
Inquiry question: How do introduced species affect the Australian environment and ecosystems?
Students:
● outline the biotic and abiotic effects of introduced species
● conduct an investigation into a local introduced species, including:
– reason for introducing the species
– biotic and abiotic effects of the species
– area affected by the species
– human impacts that favour the introduced species
– control or mitigation methods
– different views about the value of and/or harm caused by the introduced species, including the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
● analyse ways in which human activity can upset the balance of ecosystems and favour introduced species (ACSES027)
● describe ways in which introduced species contribute to the decline or extinction of native Australian species (ACSES081)
Earth and Environmental Science 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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