Year 8 Science
Field Study 2009 of Two Hong Kong Ecosystems
At Tai Mong Tsai
My Name is: ________________________________________________ My Science teacher is: _______________________________________
AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL HONG KONG
INTRODUCTION Designated in 1978, Sai Kung West Country Park occupies 3,000 hectares of wild country in the western part of Sai Kung Peninsula. Except for a few remote villages, the entire region that extends from Pak Tam Au to Yung Shue O is encompassed within the country park You will be studying an area called Tai Mong Tsai. During the field trip, as part of your Year 8 camp, you will study an aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. You will work in small groups to collect information on the living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) factors within these ecosystems. To impose minimum disturbance to the area, we will collect data, not organisms; and we will leave footprints not rubbish.
DESCRIPTION OF TASK You work for an educational tour company called ‘Learn Amongst the Trees’. Your company is rapidly expanding as a tourism provider and there is a high demand for tours of the Hong Kong bush and coastline. Your boss has just given you a new task. You have to plan an expedition to a particular ecosystem. To assist with your planning, you will conduct a field study of the area and present information about the area in a field report. CRITERIA Students will be assessed on their ability to: • • • • • •
make and record observations and measurements accurately, using a range of strategies and technologies use a range of sources to access and collate information organize data using a variety of methods including diagrams, tables, photographs select and use an appropriate medium to present data and information extract and summarise information from identified secondary sources independently communicate information and understanding to solve problems
Overall layout of your field book 1. All tables with correct labels and headings (2 marks) 2. Recordings neat & accurate
(2 marks)
3. Appropriate photographs included
(2 marks)
LOCATION - Tai Mong Tsai
geographical coordinates: 22° 24' 0" North, 114° 18' 0" East
Site 2: Emerald
Site 1: The stream Source: http://www.centamap.com/cent/index.htm
The arch of Tai Long Wan is home to many flora species of special scientific interest, including Dense-flowered Geodorum (Geodorum densiflorum), a plant that can adapt to high-salinity sandy bottom habitats, and the rare Glehnia littoralis. To preserve these natural assets, Tai Long Wan has been declared a Site of Special Scientific Year 8 Science
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Interest. Source:http://www.afcd.gov.hk/textonly/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_ske/cou_vis _cou_ske.html Add your own title page here - (2
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SAFETY considerations Explain why each of these is important and what you need to do to ensure you are safe on your fieldtrip.
Why it needs to be considered •
sun exposure
•
insects
•
rock hopping
•
wildlife
•
food & water
•
weather exposure
What I will do to reduce my risk
(6 marks) SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
Site 1 – Tai Mong Tsai Stream Instructions: In small groups, you have 60 minutes to rotate through activities at Site 1 - Stream. A. General description 1. Draw a sketch map of the area you study around the Tai Mong Tsai Stream. Indicate flow direction, estimate breadth, exposed rocks and positions of the trees which are related to the ecosystem. Make your sketch on the next page Include the following: ¾ page in size minimum, pencil only (no colour), border, title (top LC), scale (bottom RC), north point, key with border, symbols labeled in key, stream flow with arrow, stream breadth indicated on map, firm lines (no overlap or shading) (1/2 mark each point)
(5 marks) Year 8 Science
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2. Record the nature of the stream bottom, water colour, any floating material or foam, smell, presence of algae and any other information you think relevant. (dot point or paragraph, 4 points for 2 mark, 1 points for ½ mark and photograph of you at the stream correctly labeled – 1 mark)
_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________
(3 marks) B. Physical factors 1. Use a thermometer to measure the average temperature on the water surface. (include 3 trials and correct units) (data displayed in table, table number, descriptive title ,heading includes units(units not included with data), minimum 3 trials + average, summary sentence below table describing where & how measurements taken and summarise result)
(4 marks) Year 8 Science
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2. Measure water velocity using a stopwatch and ping pong ball. Make sure your measurement is reliable. (data displayed in table, table number, descriptive title ,heading includes units(units not included with data), minimum 3 trials + average, summary sentence below table describing where & how measurements taken and result, photograph optional)
(4 marks) 3. Use a datalogger to measure air temperature, light intensity and sound. (will get these back at school (3 graphs included, printed from student drive, graph number, descriptive title, summary sentence below each graph describing where & how measurements taken and results eg max, min, mean)
(3 marks)
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C. Transect 11. Run a 15m long transect (maximum) across an area from the shrub line to the water. Record direction of transect line using a compass. _________________________________________________________________________
(1 mark) 2. Record what plants (use chart at school to identify them) occur at every meter on the transect. For each plant record a brief description including height and width of a plant. data displayed in table, table number, descriptive title, table headings including and plant name, description, width & height
(3 mark)
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D. Soil pH Measure and record soil pH in the area at least 5 m from the stream data displayed in table, table number, descriptive title ,heading includes units(units not included with data), minimum 3 trials (or collect data from other groups) + average, summary sentence below table describing where & how measurements taken and result
(4 mark)
E. Freshwater plants Record habitats and approximate population sizes of at least 3 plants. Sketch these plants. (make a clear drawing of the 3 plants in pencil, minimum ½page size, border, title, scale, scientific name, firm lines (no shading) Under each drawing also mention population size in this area eg abundant, scarce) (2 marks per plant drawing)
(6 marks)
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F. Freshwater animals 1. For animals moving on water surface or swimming in water, use identification cards to identify. ( listed animals observed in table, minimum 2 = 1 mark)
(1 mark)
2. For animals living at the bottom: a) Gently remove stones from the bottom. Use a soft brush to remove the animals attaching on the surfaces of the stones into a pie tray. b) You may see animals moving at the bottom after stones have been removed. Try to catch them for identification. If they move too fast, let them go and keep records. c) For each species identified, count the number and record in a data table. in above data table include scientific names(2 names= 2 mark) and number of organisms observed (2 species counts= 2 mark)
(4 marks)
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G. Poem - Write a poem to describe the area, using all your senses.
(2 marks)
Remember: * monitor your time * be considerate & aware of the surroundings * monitor your personal & group safety * clean & return all equipment * collect & dispose of any rubbish
END OF STUDY OF THE STREAM Year 8 Science
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Site 2 – Emerald Bay Instructions In small groups, you have 60 minutes to rotate through activities at Site 2: the bay A. General observation 1. Measure and record: 2a. Present weather conditions eg % cloud cover, wind direction, temperature, humidity 3(description, paragraph, including data on temperature, humidity, estimate of % cloud cover, direction wind is coming from)
4(2 marks) _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 5b. Tidal movements- measure and record over time (estimate distance water moved(metres) – in or out, over time period)
(1 mark) ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ B. Percentage cover Use random quadrats to estimate the average population size of the barnacles (do three trials, calculate average) (data displayed in table, table number, descriptive title, table heading, minimum 3 trials (or collect data from other groups) + average, summary sentences below table, describe features o f barnacle, photograph needed, describe where & how measurements were taken and result describing average population size)
(4 marks)
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C. Human Impact Record at least 3 examples of human impact in the area. (minimum three examples, described in detail, photograph to support each)
(3 marks)
D. Physical factors 1. Use thermometer to measure average water temperature (3 trials) (data displayed in table, table number, descriptive title ,heading includes units(units not included with data), minimum 3 trials + average, summary sentence below table describing where & how measurements taken and result)
(4 marks)
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2. Use anemometer to measure average wind speed (3 trials) and record direction of wind (data displayed in table, table number, descriptive title ,heading includes units(units not included with data), minimum 3 trials + average, summary sentence below table describing where & how measurements taken and result)
(4 marks)
3. Use a datalogger to measure air temperature, light intensity and sound. (3 graphs included, printed from student drive, table number, descriptive title, summary sentence below each graph describing where & how measurements taken and results eg max, min, mean)
(3 marks)
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E Animal and Plant observations 1. Sketch the shore line. (½ page in size minimum, pencil only (no colour), border, title (top LC), scale (bottom RC), north point, key with border, symbols labeled in key, firm lines (no overlap or shading) ( 1/2 mark each point)
(4 marks)
2. Observe and sketch 3 plants record for each height, and at least one adaptation. Indicate on your drawing the position of the 3 plants. (make a clear drawing of the 3 plants in pencil, minimum ½page size, border, title, scale, scientific name, firm lines (no shading) description of adaptation in sentence below sketch)
(6 marks)
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3. Observe and sketch 2 different shell types for each record size and population (½ page size, pencil (no colour), border, title, scale, population indicated)
(2 marks)
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4. a) Observe at least 2 animals you see during your camp. Record when and where you saw the animal, how many of these animals you saw. (in table with title)
(2 marks)
b) Make a drawing of one animal and indicate at least one adaptation it has. ½ page minimum, pencil (no colour) border, title, scale, adaption described in sentence below drawing)
(2 marks)
Clean & return all equipment
END OF STUDY OF THE BAY Year 8 Science
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Part 3: Conclusion to ecosystem study 1. Write a conclusion to your ecosystem investigation. What are the differences and similarities between the sites? (At least 300 words conclusion that compare the two sites. Explain similarities and differences)
(4 marks) _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ 2. Which place would you recommend that your company visits to take tours in the future? Explain why you would choose this site for people to visit. (eg site one or site two). (Make a recommendation about which site to visit and give reasons)
(2 marks) _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Year 8 Science
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Part 4: The night sky You have been learning about the night sky. While at the campsite you need to record the following data. 1. Each night note if you can see the moon and which phase it is in. Make a drawing of what you see and at what time of the night you make your observation. (Moon phases over 6 nights - Table of phase with drawing and time of observation. Use pencil, title)
(3 marks)
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Assessment Summary Sheet Task
Mark
Title page Safety Part 1: Tai Mong Tsai Stream • Stream Sketch • Nature of stream • Temperature • Water velocity • Stream datalogger • Transect • Soil pH • Freshwater plants • Animals • Poem Part 2: Emerald Bay • Weather • Tide • Barnacle population • Human impact • Water temperature • Wind speed • Bay datalogger • Shore line • Salt water plants • Shell study • Animals • Draw animal Part 3 Conclusion • Conclusion • Recommendation Part 4 Night sky Overall layout
/2 /6 Site 1 /5 /3 /4 /4 /3 /4 /4 /6 /5 /2 Site 2 /2 /1 /4 /3 /4 /4 /3 /4 /6 /2 /2 /2
Total
/4 /2 /3 /6
/100
Comments:
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