Beyond the Bushfires - Kangaroo Island, Bushfire Hotspot - Science - Years 9

Activity Introduction

Quick summary: Students research the effects of bushfires on a native and invasive species on Kangaroo Island. They will analyse the factors negatively impacting the population size of a native species. They will work together to contrast, compare and ultimately select between a variety of strategies for controlling populations of feral cats.

In partnership with The Conversation, the Beyond the Bushfires series brings the words of scientists who are actively involved in research and science communication into classrooms throughout Australia. Students will explore evidence-based research embedded in the context of real-world practice.

Additional thanks to the Ian Potter Foundation, John T Reid Charitable Trusts and The Myer Foundation, for generously supporting the development of these lessons.

Learning intentions:

Students will identify the relationship between an invasive and native species on Kangaroo Island
Students will consider the factors that might lead to growth or decline in the populations of these species.

21st century skills:

Critical Thinking Communicating

Australian Curriculum Mapping

Content descriptions:

Year 9 Science

Ecosystems consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment; matter and energy flow through these systems (ACSSU176)
Values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific research (ACSHE228)

Syllabus outcomes: SC5-14LW, SC5-11PW.

General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking, ICT Capability

Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2, OI.3.

Relevant parts of Year 9 Science achievement standards: Students analyse how biological systems function and respond to external changes with reference to interdependencies, energy transfers and flows of matter. They describe social and technological factors that have influenced scientific developments and predict how future applications of science and technology may affect people’s lives.

Topics: Climate Change, The Conversation, Beyond the Bushfires, Sustainability.

This lesson is part of the wider unit of work Beyond the Bushfires – Secondary.

Time required: 55 mins.

Level of teacher scaffolding: Low – Supervision of article reading and worksheet completion. Short facilitated discussion at the end of the exercise.

Resources required:

Article – The Conversation – Fire-ravaged Kangaroo Island is teeming with feral cats. It’s bad news for this little marsupial
Laptops or personal computer access
Print outs of student worksheets – one copy for each student.

Keywords: ecosystem recovery, bushfires, native species, Kangaroo Island, dunnart, cat.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher preparation

Learning intentions: Students will...

... identify the relationship between an invasive and native species on Kangaroo Island
... consider the factors that might lead to growth or decline in the populations of these species.

Success criteria: Students can …

… explain three factors that have lead to a decrease in the population of a native species.
... explain three factors that have lead to an increase in the population of an invasive species
... connect these factors to the impacts of bushfires
... analyse the costs and benefits of different approaches to population control.

Teacher content information: This lesson uses the Flora, Fauna Fire resource from The Conversation. This resource examines and describes the impacts of the Black Summer bushfires on native flora and fauna species.

Important: Talking about bushfires often involves addressing sensitive issues. Bushfires are innately linked to death and dying, and as such, may evoke stron

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Student Worksheet

Thought Starter: Do you think all cats should be kept indoors at all times?

1. Read The Conversation - Fire-ravaged Kangaroo Island is teeming with feral cats. It’s bad news for this little marsupial

Part A: Article Analysis Activities

1. Name the type of biological relationship between the Kangaroo Island Dunnart and the feral cat.

2. Use the article, as well as your own inferences and prior knowledge, to record why these populations have changed.

Reasons for decrease in the population of Kangaroo Island Dunnart	To what extent have the bushfires caused these changes? (Completely/Majorly/Minorly/Not at all)

Reasons for the increase in the populations of Feral Cats	To what extent have the bushfires caused these changes? (Completely/Majorly/Minorly/Not at all)

2. The article touches on three potential strategies to control populations of feral cats on Kangar

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Activity: Beyond the Bushfires – Kangaroo Island, Bushfire Hotspot – Science – Years 9