Environmental Action Project Report Format

1. Introduction
This report will represent and analyse the data collected from the research In
2022, Year 9 students have looked at an ecosystem at our school which is our
dam. The study was to look at how we can improve the quality of our dam as
we measured all of the thing like the stream pollution index/life quality. I am
working on the biodiversity of native plants and plants in general. Our groups
solution was to create biodiversity of plant at the dam or native plants at the
dam. We have things like what types of plants to plant? Are any plants going to
effect the animals if they eat them? Can we sell any of the plants? This report
will be presenting about the dam and its ecosystem.

2. Study Results
Neatly present your data from Part 1 – Local ecosystem Monitoring and
Analysis

The water quality of the PRSHS dam ecosystem was tested by 5 abiotic factors (refer to
1.1.1a). The quality of the water was measured by the water temperature, Turbidity, pH,
Nitrite, and Nitrate. Each of the 5 abiotic factors were measured using multiple instruments.
The water temperature was measured using a thermometer this is very important because
certain temperatures can me lots of oxygen for the aquatic animals to breathe or very little
oxygen which the aquatic animals wouldn't be able to survive. The turbidity (water visibility)
was at a level of 30 which is very poor. The Turbidity is what allows for water plants to be able
to grow and help the dam ecosystem. The pH level was at a 7.35 which is good because that is
an average for the scale of acidity or alkaline of the dam water. The nitrite (nitrous acid) was at
a level of 0.5 which if an aquatic animal where to have absorbed into the body would be but
this is okay because the levels are fair. Nitrate was at a level of 12.5 which is another fair
reading and too much will make lots of aquatic planta grow and take over the population of
aquatic animals at PRSHS dam ecosystem.

1.1.1 Measuring the environmental factors in an aquatic environment.

(a) Use the relevant equipment to measure the following abiotic factors:
Test Why do we measure this factor? Range Rating Study
site
result
Water 5-25 Good 20
Living things need oxygen. Warmer
temp.
water contains less oxygen.
(ºC)
Turbidity 0-40 Very 30
(Water clarity) How easily can you see
(NTU) 40-100 Poor
through the water? Dirty water can
reduce the amount of aquatic plant life. >100

pH <5 Good 7.35

Changes to the pH (acidity or alkalinity)
(1-14) 6
can indicate pollution. Both high and low 7
levels can be toxic to aquatic organisms. 8
>9

Nitrite 0 Fair 0.5

Nitrite is harmful to fish and other forms
(ppm) >5
of aquatic life.
Nitrate 0-9 Fair 12.5
Nitrates are essential plant nutrients, but 10-20
(ppm)
in excess amounts they can lead to algal 20-50
blooms which can choke waterways. 50-100
>100

The Stream Pollution Index shows that the PRSHS dam ecosystem level is at a 5.25 which is at
a good in the ratings for Stream Pollution Index's (refer to 1.1.1b). The average level of
pollution in the pollution index for water bugs was at a 10.

(b) Measuring the biotic factors in an aquatic environment. Conduct a water

bugs survey and calculate the stream pollution index.

Type of water bug Tolerance Abundance Weighting Pollution

index

Stonefly nymph 10 2 1 10

3 Mayfly nymph 9 5 2 18

Backswimmer 2 3 2 4
 Shrimp (freshwater) 4 4 2 8

Diving Beetle 5 4 2 10

Whirligig beetle 5 3 2 10

Snail 1 1 1 1

Caddisfly larvae 8 2 1 8
Water Mite 6 3 2 12
dragonfly nymph 3 1 1 3

Stream Pollution Index: 84/16 84 divide 16=16 5.25 5.25 = good

1.1.2 Measuring the abiotic factors in a terrestrial ecosystem

(a) In the space below draw (or insert a photo or scan) a labelled diagram of
your study site.

The terrestrial quality of the PRSHS dam ecosystem was tested using 6 abiotic factors (refer to
1.1.2b). The quality of the terrestrial land around the dam was measured by the Air
Temperature, Relative Humidity, Light, Wind Speed, Canopy Cover, and Ground Cover. The air
temperatures was measured with a dry and wet temperature, the dry air temperature was
26.5° and the wet air temperature was 24°. The air temperatures can affect plants growth or
other factors like the relative humidity, and the air temperature also influences the type of
organisms living in that ecosystem. The relative humidity was 26°, the relative humidity can
result in evaporation making it hard for plants to survive, or more water in the air affecting the
air temperature. The light levels were at 330-780, light affects the growth of plants and other
factor such as the temperature of the air or the relative humidity of the air. The canopy cover
was at a 50% which allows for the forest floor to be equal with dense understory, and the
sparse understory of the forest floor. The ground cover is at a level of 75% which means most
of the soil which helps plants grow is covered with little affected by rain or winds that remove
the vital soil for plant growth.

(b) Use the relevant instruments to measure the following abiotic factors:
Factor Why do we measure this factor? Data
collected
Air temp. Influences where certain organisms can live, also 26.5 24
(ºC) directly affects plant growth and other factors such Dry wet
affects relative humidity.

Relative Low relative humidity results in rapid evaporation 26

humidity making it harder for vegetation to survive. High
relative humidity means more water in the air and this
affects how well the air keeps its temperature.

Light Essential for the growth of plants, also affects other 330-780
factors such as temperature and relative humidity.

Wind speed The effect of the plants (mainly trees and shrubs) on 15km
the wind, how it lowers wind speed near the ground,
shelters niches from strong winds where small
animals and plants can establish and live.

Canopy cover Canopy cover plays a great role in the amount of 50%
(%) sunlight that reaches the forest floor. When a large
amount of sunlight is allowed to penetrate areas of
the canopy, a dense understory can develop. A heavy
or dense canopy results in a small amount of
available sunlight that reaches the forest floor, and
subsequently a sparse understory.

Ground cover Groundcover is vital for soil. Without cover to protect 100%
(%) it, soil is vulnerable to raindrop impact, surface runoff
and wind. Groundcover is any material on or near the
soil surface that protects the soil against the erosive
action of raindrops, surface water flow and wind. It
can be, for example, living or dead plant material,
compost, mulch or stones.
(Part 1.1.2(c)) shows all the organisms that live at the dam ecosystem of PRSHS. These are the
organism grouped into sections of plants and animals. The animal section has been grouped
again into Invertebrates(no back bone/spine) and Vertebrates( has backbone/spine).

(c) Biotic factors of the ecosystem

Plants Animals
Invertebrates Vertebrates
Duck weed Stonefly Nymph Green tree frog
Reeds Mayfly Nymph Eastern Sedge frog
Algae Backswimmer Wood Duck
Water lilies Shrimp (freshwater) Pacific Black Duck
Grass Diving Beetle Dusky Moorhen
Grey Gums Whirligig Beetle Purple Swamphen
Matt Rushes Snail Grey Kangaroo
Black Wattle Caddisfly Larvae Blue Tongue Lizard
Weeping Lillipillies Water Mite Noisy Mina Bird
Broad leafed paperbark Dragonfly Nymph Bush tail possum
Glycine vine Crow
Elodea Snake
Water hyacinth rat
Environmental Weeds

**1.2: Analysis of the interdependencies, energy transfers and flows of

matter within the local ecosystem.

(a) In the space below draw (or insert photo or scan) a food web of the
organisms within this ecosystem.
A food chain web has been created by my group (refer to 1.2a) This food chain shows the
relations between the plants and animals.
(b) (i) Analyse two animals from your food web. Contrast the niches of these
two animals and classifying them according to the criteria in the table below (an
example has been provided).
(ii) Add to the table an introduced animal that has become a pest species in the
local area. The specialised adaption you identify should be related to why they
survive so well in their new environment.

The Kangaroo has 2 special adaptations which it uses for surviving and getting
nutrition. The Noisy Mynah has a specialised adaption of a vocal box that
allows it to communicate with its group and talk very fast. (refer to 1.2(b)(i))for
more information on the niche, trophic level and classification for the animals
adaptation

Organis Mode of Trophic Classification of Specialis Classificati

m nutrition level the animal’s niche ed on of this
within the food adaptatio adaptation.
web. n for Explain the
Explain the obtaining reason for
reason for the energy the
classification. (i.e. food) classificati
on.
Kangaroo heterotro 2nd Kangaroos have a Sharp The
ph trophic wide distribution to teeth, Kangaroo's
level be able to cope strong tail, sharp teeth
Primary with a wide range allow for
 consum of environmental them to eat
er conditions. strong thick
Kangaroos teeth grass, and
are adapted be the tail
sharp to easily eat allows for
tough grasses or the to hop
shrubs with high onto it and
water density. fight by
kicking at
their
opponent
with the
back legs.
Noisy heterotro 3rd Indian Noisy Vocal box The Indian
Mynah ph trophic Mynah's feast on noisy Mynah
level nectar, fruits, and . is named
seconda Insects. They will that
ry occasionally eat because
consum reptiles and small they are
er amphibious very vocal
animals. Indian birds and
Noisy mynah's talk very
mainly feed in large quickly with
groups of them. one another
The habitat of and are
Noisy miner is often in
pretty much groups.
anywhere except
for dense forests,
they can nest in
roofs, houses, and
holes in walls, and
this is because
they are cavity
nesters. They
mainly like to nest
in areas that have
been heavily
disturbed by
humans.

( refer to Part 1.2 (c)(i)) Evidence shows the relationship of predator-prey,

competitor-competitor, benefits-benefits, and parasite-host at the dam
ecosystem of PRSHS The snake(predator)-frog(prey) is like this as part of the
snakes niche is to eat mainly amphibious animals such as a frog. The Wood
Duck(Competitor)-Pacific Black Duck is(competitor) like this as they both
compete for the same food at the dam ecosystem. The Fungi (benefits)-
 Algae(benefits) is this relation ship between each other where the fungi
provides shelter for the algae, as the algae provides nutrition to the fungi. The
tick(Parasite)-Kangaroo(host) is the relationship as the tick releases poison into
the kangaroo but since they are both native animals the poison doesn't affect
the kangaroo(host).

(c)(i)
Type of Ecosystem Explanation for
relationship organisms classification
Predator - prey Predator Prey
snake frog Snakes eat are mainly
amphibians.
Competition Competitor Competitor
Wood Duck Pacific black They both fight over the
Duck same food.
Mutualism Benefits Benefits
Fungi Algae Fungi provides shelter to the
algae whilst the algae
provides nutrition to the fungi.
Parasitism Parasite Host
ticks kangaroo The tick releases poison into
the kangaroo when it bites it's
host but since the ticks are
native animals aren't actually
affected by the poison.

3. Current status of the study site.

The factor that I am looking at is the health of the dam and how to improve it. It
is important to measure as we can then understand how healthy the dam is to
be able to hen look at solutions to help the dam health. The report has been
measured using many instruments that recorded the air temperature, relative
humidity, Ph, Nitrite, Nitrate, Ground cover, Canopy cover, Wind speed, Light,
and Turbidity. I found that most factors of the dam were at a rating of good by
the Australian guidelines for each thing. The stream pollution Index shows a
condition of good as of the Australian water quality guidelines. The stream
Pollution index is good as of the measurements of 5.25 (refer to tables 1.1.1(a),
1.1.1(b), 1.1.2 (b)) These measurements are referred by the scientific
guidelines as a rating of good for a stream pollution index. The health of the
dam can be improved by adding more plants that will help the soil and the
nutrients that feed into the water, the roots of the plants will also help to stop
land falling into the dam affecting the aquatic organisms. (Australian and New
Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, 2000)
4. Recommendations

A problem that has been notice by year 9's of PRSHS dam ecosystem show the
plants and how they can effect the ecosystem of the dam We want plant more
native plants around the dam, to create a biodiversity of pants at the PRSHS
dam ecosystem. There are many benefits to be gained from planting native
plants at the dam ecosystem of PRSHS. Whether it is providing habitat for
native wildlife or wildlife, to improving the water quality, and establishing an
important process of sustainable land management. Direct seeding is one way
of applying vegetation to the dam ecosystem, it is cost-effective and a highly
efficient technique. Direct seeding is done by machine or hand and allows for
many plant advantages. Planting of seedlings is also another option, seedling
can be grown in a variety of containers, which suit to a scale/the purpose of the
work and is also done by machine or hand. Revegetation looks at a lot for
providing benefits socially, economically and Environmentally. The main focus
for revegetation at the PRSHS dam ecosystem is tom improve the ecosystem of
the dam Environmentally. Native plants are best for planting because they are
best suited to the conditions at the specific ecosystem area. Native plants also
provide natural shelter for the wildlife in the area and habitat for some of the
animals there. Native plants also help improve water quality the most rather
than random sort of plants. Any plant also allows to maintain the character of
the local landscape. A strategic approach to further help the PRSHS dam
ecosystem with planting would be to implement a program where students who
would like to volunteer can grow plants to sell or even get the seeds or
seedlings of them to plant further down the track in the future.

My recommendation is to implement a biodiversity of plants at the dam

ecosystem of PRSHS. The benefits of doing so will allow to keep characteristics
of the landscape, improve the water quality, or providing a habitat and shelter to
the wildlife at the ecosystem. If this plan went ahead the school could
implement a program where we grow and sell plants but every year or so we go
down with seeds or seedlings and plant them at the dam. If the School were to
implement this program we would be able to make profit would we could raise
for more new bubblers or toilets or something the whole school will enjoy.
(Native Plant Revegetation Techniques - Greening Australia. (2022))

5. References
Reference List compiled in the correct format.

Whyte, S., 2022. Revegetation techniques. [online] Native Plant Revegetation Techniques -
Greening Australia. Available at:
<https://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/GUIDE_A-guide-for-
establishing-native-vegetation-in-Victoria.pdf> [Accessed 9 June 2022].

(Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, 2000)
Your Bibliography: NATIONAL WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY. 2000. Australian
and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality. [online] Available at:
<https://www.waterquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/anzecc-armcanz-2000-
guidelines-vol2.pdf> [Accessed 14 June 2022].