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 Plant name: Image 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 05% 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 Temperature range: temperate climate <0 o C - >35 o C 7 Record the current environmental conditions: Date: Time: Temperature (circle): Hot Warm Cool Cold Precipitation (circle): None Light Heavy Constant Intermittent? Cloud : %
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: Landform: Soil type: Study area size: Geology: Vegetation community: Quadrat 1 Quadrat 2 Quadrat 3 Slope: (circle) steep/moderate/flat Slope: (circle) steep/moderate/flat Slope: (circle) steep/moderate/flat Canopy : Canopy : Canopy : Species Total no % Species Tota l no % Species Total no % Ground layer % Ground layer % Ground layer % 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 Vegetation quality: Pristine/Intact/Disturbed/Very disturbed Notes: Notes: Notes: Vegetation quality: Pristine/Intact/Disturbed/Very disturbed 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, ie, 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 Total area studied (m 2 ) Species abundance = no of plants of the same species Total no of plants x100 Species No of individuals Species density (/m 2 ) 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
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 5Consider the consequences if one factor is removed) 18 State at least 3 actions that you could take to conserve the grassland ecosystem