Activity Introduction

Activity details: Students design and conduct a biodiversity project. Depending on the partner, students might find a location and plan an entire revegetation project.

NB – There are two suggested ‘Considering social action’ projects. This one and ‘Wildlife garden website.’ These are both lengthy projects and most classes will only have time for one of these. 

Learning goals for this activity include:

1. Understanding ecosystems can be regenerated.

2. Safely performing activities when doing projects and remaining within the limitations of the school policy.

3. Assisting a community group (partner) with a biodiversity project.

Module: Biodiversity

Year levels: 9 and 10

Indoor or outdoor activity: Indoor

Duration of activity: Depends on the selected project.

Learning areas addressed: Science, Geography, Civics and Citizenship.

Teacher input: Facilitate students in planning, review safety procedures, facilitate communication with partners, inform students about how school policy affects their decisions.

Resources needed: Writing material, computers, possibly a budget to purchase mulch and plants, planting tools.

Homework and extension opportunities: None.

Keywords: Biodiversity, revegetation, planning, ecosystems, plants and animals.

Australian Curriculum Link:

Year 9 Science:

  • Ecosystems consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment; matter and energy flow through these systems (ACSSU176)
  • Plan, select and use appropriate investigation methods, including field work and laboratory experimentation, to collect reliable data; assess risk and address ethical issues associated with these methods (ACSIS165)

Year 10 Science:

  • The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence (ACSSU185)
  • Plan, select and use appropriate investigation methods, including field work and laboratory experimentation, to collect reliable data; assess risk and address ethical issues associated with these methods (ACSIS199)

Syllabus Outcomes: SC5-5WS, SC5-6WS, SC5-14LW.

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

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Introduction

Many millions of trees are planted every year in Australia. The trees help to remove and store the greenhouse gas called carbon dioxide. Revegetation is more than just planting trees. It includes:

  • Replanting an ecosystem, with trees shrubs, grasses, creepers and wildflowers. This kind of planting will create homes for many animals and help restore the biodiversity in an area.
  • Restoring an area by removing weeds from around the indigenous plants and planting more local plants among the gaps.
  • Using the local indigenous plants. The seeds and cuttings used to propagate the plants come from local areas whenever it is possible.
  • Maintaining the area to keep it free from weeds and other problems after an area has been planted.

Consult your local indigenous nursery - getting their help is a great way to find out specific information. The indigenous nursery will need to know what kind of ecosystem you want to establish and this will guide the choice of plants.

See wha

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Student Worksheet

 

Project Title:   

Project Timeline:

Task

Details

Where is the site you want to revegetate?

Have you obtained permission from the person or body that controls the land?

  

What type of plants, species and numbers will be planted?

  

Have you ordered plants from your closest indigenous nursery?

  

What budgeting allowance do you need?

  

Have you ordered the mulch?

  

What planting tools and watering equipment will be needed?

  

How will you control weeds?

  

 How will you maintain the site?

  

How will you celebrate your completed project? 

  
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