Ecosystems at Risk Case Study 1 Coastal Sand Dunes- Stockton Bight Introduction 1. What are Coastal Sand Dune ecosystems? 2. What are the natural functions of Coastal Sand Dunes? 3. Why are the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes considered an Ecosystem at Risk? 1
1.0 Spatial Patterns and Dimensions of the Stockton Coastal Sand Dune Ecosystem 1.1 Location and Latitude 1. Where are Coastal Sand Dunes generally located around the world? 2. Sketch a MAP showing the location of the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dune Ecosystem. 3. What is the Absolute location of the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes? 4. What is the relative location of the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes? 2
1.2 Altitude 5. What are the different heights of dunes in the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes? 1.3 Extent 6. Outline the size and shape of the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes 1.4 Continuity 7. What geological period of time did most Coastal Sand Dunes around the world develop? What is another name for this event? 8. The Stockton Coastal Sand Dunes are made of a number of layers of old Sand Dunes. How old is the outer barrier (the current dunes)? 9. What is significant about the outer barrier of the Stockton Coastal Sand Dunes? 3
2.0 Biophysical Interactions in the Functioning of the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dune Ecosystem The accretion cycle is a natural function that occurs on Coastal Sand Dunes. It highlights how the four spheres interact in this particular ecosystem. 1. Describe the ACCRETION CYCLE. 2. Complete the ACCRETION CYCLE diagram below. 4
2.1 Geomorphological Processes 1. What does the term GEOMORPHOLIGICAL mean? 2. Draw a cross section of a typical coastal dune ecosystem labelling the geomorphological zones. 3. What is the major material that makes up Coastal Dunes? 4. What are the TWO sources of this material on Coastal Dunes? 5. Identify and define the TWO main Geomorphological processes that occur on Coastal Sand Dunes? 5
6. Why is mechanical weathering the main type of weathering that occurs on Coastal Sand Dunes? 7. Describe the different types of mechanical weathering that occur in the formation and development of Coastal Sand Dunes. 8. Identify and describe the TWO types of erosion that occur on Coastal Sand Dunes. 9. Where does most of the sediment come from for the Stockton Sand Dunes? How does it get there? 6
2.2 Hydrological Processes 1. What does the term hydrological mean? 2. What is the main way the hydrosphere functions on Coastal Sand Dunes in the accretion cycle? 3. Explain how the four Hydrological flows that operate in Coastal Sand Dune Ecosystems function in the accretion cycle. (i) RIVER DISCHARGE (ii) LONGSHORE DRIFT 7
(iii) WAVES (constructive and destructive waves) (iv) RAINFALL 8
2.3 Dynamics of Weather and Climate 1. Explain why temperate climates are ideal for the formation of Sand Dunes? WIND 2. What is the term Aeolian a fancy word for? 3. What is the prevailing wind on the Stockton Bight area? 4. Identify and explain the 3 ways that wind helps in the accretion cycle. 5. Draw the diagram that shows the different types of Aeolian transport. 9
Temperature Why is temperature crucial in the functioning of Coastal Sand Dunes? 6. How does Stockton s climate make it an ideal place for a Coastal Sand Dune ecosystem? Precipitation 7. How does precipitation influence the functioning of Coastal Sand Dunes? 8. What is the precipitation like on the Stockton Bight? How does this affect the Dune ecosystem? 10
2.4 Biogeographical Processes 1. Biogeographical is a fancy way of saying what? 2. What role does vegetation play in the accretion cycle? 3. What does the term colonisation mean? 4. What does the term succession mean? 5. Write a brief summary on how succession occurs on Coastal Sand Dunes Firstly, mini dunes are created by 11
6. Draw the diagrams showing the process of succession on Coastal Sand Dunes. Ensure to label the colonising vegetation. Vegetation Colonisation and Succession 12
4. On the diagram below a) Label the Geomorphological zones b) Label the vegetation zones. c) Illustrate how the dune system acts as a wind barrier. 5. Explain how the dunes act as a wind barrier? 13
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2.5 Adjustments to Natural Stress 1. What TWO natural stress events have large impacts on Coastal Sand Dunes? Storm Damage 2. What three factors associated with storms cause the structural damage on Coastal Sand Dunes? 3. What two events associated with storms cause damage on Coastal Dunes? 4. What is a blowout? 5. How do Sand Dunes adjust to blowouts? 6. Identify and describe the two examples of blowouts on the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dune? 7. What is a washover? 15
8. How do Sand Dunes adjust to washovers? 9. Identify and describe TWO significant storms that created washover event that occurred on the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes? Bush Fires 10. How do bushfires naturally begin on Coastal Sand Dunes? 11. Which areas of Coastal Dunes are impacted on by bushfires? (i) 12. Identify and describe the three ways in which the vegetation on Coastal Dunes have adjusted to the impact of bush fires? (ii) (iii) 16
3.0 The Nature and Rate of Change in Coastal Sand Dunes Natural Change 1. Explain how the accretion cycle constantly changes Coastal Sand Dunes? 2. When does rapid change occur on Sand Dunes during the accretion cycle? 3. Why is wind the most significant factor of change on Coastal Sand Dunes? 4. Why are the Stockton Coastal Sand Dunes considered a mobile transgressive dune system? 5. Explain how the rising and falling of sea levels has gradually changed the Stockton Sand Dunes? 17
6. What is significant about the current outer barrier of the Stockton Sand Dunes? Human Change 7. How have humans rapidly changed Coastal Sand Dunes? 18
4.0 Human Impacts on Coastal Sand Dunes Positive 1. How have the Aboriginal people positively impacted on biodiversity at the Stockton Coastal Sand Dunes? 2. In what ways have European settlers positively impacted on Coastal Sand Dunes? Negative Impacts 3. What parts of Coastal Sand Dunes have humans negatively impacted on? Building of the Sea Wall 4. Explain the impacts of the sea wall on the accretion cycle in the southern end of the Stockton Bight? 19
Coastal Development 5. Why do humans build large housing developments on Coastal Sand Dunes? 6. List the potential impacts on the flora and fauna of Stockton by the building of the Fern Bay housing development. 7. According to the Fern Bay Species Impact Statement (SIS), of the potential impacts which are considered to be the greatest? Recreational Use 8. What has research shown about the recreational use of sand dunes? 20
9. Identify the recreational activities that impact on Sand Dunes and explain their impacts. Sand Mining 10. Why is sand mining considered a controversial issue on Sand Dunes? 11. Identify and describe the two mining methods that occur on Sand dunes. Introduction of Weeds and Pests 12. What is Bitou Bush and how have humans been responsible for its introduction in the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes? 21
13. How does Bitou Bush adversely affect Coastal Sand Dunes? 14. How were rabbits introduced into the Australian Environment? 15. How do rabbits negatively affect Coastal Sand Dunes? 22
5.0 Management Practices 1. Why it is important to manage and protect Coastal Sand Dunes? (i) Maintenance of genetic diversity (ii) Utility Values (iii) Intrinsic Values (iv) Heritage Values (v) Need to allow natural change to proceed 23
5.1 Traditional Management Practices 2. What Aboriginal Nation occupied the Stockton Sand Dunes? 3. Name ONE clan of the Aboriginal nation that managed the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes 4. What made the Aboriginals from the Port Stephens area different to many other Aboriginals? 5. Why did/do Aboriginals Value Coastal Sand Dune Ecosystems? Intrinsic Values Utility Values Heritage Values 24
6. Identify and describe the Traditional Management Strategies on the Coastal Sand Dunes Strategy 1 Strategy 2 Strategy 3 Strategy 4 Strategy 5 25
6. How did Aboriginal People Manage Coastal Dune Ecosystems? Score the strategy in terms of ESD. Traditional Management Strategies Evaluation Give a score from 1 to 5 for each management strategy where 1 is no consideration to 5 a lot of consideration Intrageneration al city (fair use within) Intergeneration al equity (saving for the future) Maintain Biodiversity Score Precautionary Approach /20 Divide the sum total of scores by the amount of strategies evaluated. 16-20=Very Ecological Sustainable Approach 12-15 =Some consideration to ESD given 4-11 = Not Sustainable Sum Total 26
5.2 Contemporary Management Practices 1. Who managed the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes for many years? 2. Who still manages the southern end of the Stockton Bight? 3. What are the main issues that need to be managed in the Southern end? 4. How was the northern end of the Stockton Bight Managed for many years? 5. What is the Worimi Conservation Lands Co- Management Agreement? 6. What is significant about the Worimi Conservation Lands Co- Management Agreement? 7. What is the collective name for the three reserves leased back to the government? 27
8. Explain the process of a Lease-Back Agreement. 9. In the table below outline the structure of the Worimi Conservation Lands Name Outline 28
10. Outline the strategies used by contemporary mangers to manage Coastal Sand Dunes. Give examples from Stockton where possible. Approach Strategy How Used Why Used 29
Biological Control of Bitou Bush As mentioned earlier, bitou bush is a very difficult weed to control. In Australia there are no native animals or insects that eat the plant. This has allowed it to spread rapidly. Scientists at CSIRO have been 'investigating ways to control the weed without the use of chemicals or other costly solutions, such as pulling out by hand. Scientists have discovered two promising biological controls that attack bitou bush without apparent harm to native plants. A particular species of fungi and a moth have been identified in tests as being likely candidates for bitou bush control. The fungus, a native of Australia, has been successful in killing the bush within 14 days and seems to have little impact on the native species that grow in the coastal dunes. Meanwhile, separate tests have been conducted into a little known and unnamed species of tortix moth. The caterpillar of the moth, a native of South Africa, can completely defoliate the bush and appears only to eat bitou bush. 11. Which weed removal strategy appeals to you? Why? 12. Which of the philosophical approaches of Protection, Conservation, Utilisation, and Exploitation are relevant to the contemporary management of Coastal Sand Dune Ecosystems? Justify. 30
13. Evaluate the Contemporary Management Strategies on Coastal Dune Ecosystems? Score the strategy in terms of ESD. Contemporary Management Strategies Evaluation Give a score from 1 to 5 for each management strategy where 1 is no consideration to 5 a lot of consideration Intrageneration al city (fair use within) Intergeneration al equity (saving for the future) Maintain Biodiversity Score Precautionary Approach /20 Divide the sum total of scores by the amount of strategies evaluated. 16-20=Very Ecological Sustainable Approach 12-15 =Some consideration to ESD given 4-11 = Not Sustainable Sum Total 31