Year 10 Geography semester 2 2015

Environmental Change and Management: The Good, The Bad and the Future

Student Name: __________________________

Teachers: CHJ and MZS
Assessment Activity: The Coastal Change (30%)
Curriculum links

The human-induced environmental changes that challenge sustainability(ACHGK070)

The application of geographical concepts and methods to the management of the
environmental change being investigated (ACHGK074)
Reflect on and evaluate the findings of the inquiry to propose individual and collective action in response
to a contemporary geographical challenge, taking account of environmental, economic and social
considerations; and explain the predicted outcomes and consequences of their proposal(ACHGS080)

Ecosystems in Crisis Fieldtrip: Adelaides Metropolitan Beaches

Description of Assessment Activity:
Coastal areas have suffered significant changes over the years through urban development and
the creation of other infrastructure e.g. SLCS, hotels, sea walls, boat ramps. In the case of
Adelaides metro beaches, they are certainly an ecosystem in crisis.
You have been selected to represent your community as an expert to outline the future
sustainable relationship of humans and ecosystems of our coastal area.
"What are the changes that have occurred?
What are the management solutions and what do you think of them?
What could be done to change or better the management

1. RESEARCH Coastal processes, the coastal importance to humans and the ecological nature of the
coast including the four functions of the environment
2. RESEARCH Current issues with the coast, degradation and what are the human impacts?
3. RESEARCH what the current management that is implemented both natural and man-made.
4. PRESENT your own future recommendations for sustainable management of coasts
5. Include notes and pictures from field trip to emphasise your argument
INSTRUCTIONS
You are to present your findings in Report form
Each report will have an
o Introduction (include What the report is about and what the argument is about)
o Discussion (sub headings with processes, importance, current issues and impacts, current
management)
o Recommendations
o Conclusion
o Reference list
Please use in text referencing and provide a reference list at the end

Minimum 800 words

1

Terrific!

Pretty Good!

Standard

Hmmmm : /

What natural
processes occur along
the coastline?
Description and
examples of features.

Considers impacts
of wind, waves,
currents
understands
formations in
depth with
examples

Considers
impacts of wind,
waves, currents
and general
knowledge and
examples

Considers
impacts of wind,
waves, currents
and understands
formations with in
brief with some
examples

Little to no
effort to discuss
impacts of
wind, waves,
currents and
small
understanding
of formations

/15

What types of natural

environments exist
along the coast? What
are the four functions
of the coast

Identifies,
describes and
explains with
examples the
natural
environment
including detailed
discussion of the
four functions

Identifies and
describes
examples the
natural
environment
including good
discussion of the
four functions

Can Identify and

has minimal
examples the
natural
environment
including some
discussion of the
four functions

Lack of or
minimal
examples of the
the natural
environment
demonstrated
and little effort
shown with the
four functions

/5

In what way has the

environment been
changed by humans?
What are the
management systems
being used?
What natural
managements are
there?
What impacts have
been created on the
coast?

Able to
comprehensively
identify and
explain changes
including great
understanding of
natural
managements

Able to identify
and explain some
changes
including some
understanding of
natural
managements

Some
identification and
explanation of
changes
including basic
understanding of
natural
managements

Limited
identification
and explanation
of changes a
lack of
understanding
about natural
managements

/10

Comprehensive
understanding of
impacts of
changes

Sound
understanding of
impacts of
changes

Rudimentary
understanding of
impacts of
changes

Limited
demonstration
of impacts
discussed

/10

Application

Provide prioritised
recommendations for
reducing/ Improving
the changes to ensure
a sustainable future

Thoughtful,
innovative
practical ideas,
show strong
research

Some thoughtful,
innovative
practical ideas,
some research

Effort made to
produce
recommendations
and some
research.

Limited
practicality and
innovation, little
research or
effort.

/10

Presentation, proof
reading, secondary
sources
Does the report
include intro,
discussion,
recommendations and
conclusion

Work presented
with pride, error
free, valid sources.
Report format of a
high standard

work generally
presented with
pride, mainly
error free & valid
sources Report
format of an
above average
standard

Work of standard.
Some errors,
formatting issues
and valid sources
Report format
standard

work appears
rushed, errors,
questionable
sources

In text referencing;
titles, sources on
figures

All images have

title, source,
referred to in text

Most images
have title, source,
referred to in text

Few images have

title, source,
referred to in text

Little to no
effort in images
having title and
source

Annotated Field
Sketch

Follows field
sketch method,
strong annotations

Mainly follows
field sketch
method, some
annotations

Methods have
been used for
field sketch

Doesnt follow
field sketch
method, labels

Analysis & Evaluation

Investigation

Specific Features

Grammar and presentation

Assessment Summary:

/5

report format
needs work

/5

/10

/70

Overall
Grade

Plagiarism and Collusion

Plagiarism: using another persons ideas, designs, words or works without appropriate
acknowledgement
Collusion: another person assisting in the production of an assessment submission without the
express requirement, or consent of the assessor
TurnItIn: Yes No
I declare that all materials in the assessment task are my own work except where there is a
clear acknowledgement and reference to the work of others.
Student signature: __________________________ Date: ______
DATE GIVEN:
Value:

Tuesday 4th Aug 2015

30% Term 3

Date Due

Tuesday 1st September 2015

Resources to assist internet research

refer to text book page 85 (coastal environments)

http://www.environment.sa.gov.au
http://www.epa.sa.gov.au
http://www.charlessturt.sa.gov.au
http://waterwatchadelaide.net.au
http://nrmeducation.net.au (check out Sustainability Centre)
http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/our-places/coasts/Adelaides_Living_Beaches

Your written report must deal with the following points;

1. What natural processes occur along the coastline?
2. What type of natural environment existed in the area prior to development?
3. In what way has the environment been changed since European settlement?
4. What impacts have these changes had along the coastline?
5. What management systems are in place both natural and human made
6. What recommendations can you make to support a sustainable future for Adelaides
coastline? List and discuss 3-5 recommendations in numbered priority order

Your report must include;

Figures that are discussed in the body of the report (photographs, maps, tables, field
sketch etc)

Figure headings with captions

An annotated field sketch

Pictures and notes from field report

Full references of information taken from other areas

On the day, bring: task sheet, pen, pencil, eraser, plain paper, clipboard,
camera, lunch or lunch money, hat, sun block.

Fieldwork Techniques in Geography

During todays field trip, as you listen to Staff, keep in mind the questions you need to cover for the
assessment task. In Geographical fieldwork, there are several ways you can record useful information. We
will be looking for evidence of these techniques when we assess your work.
Some useful fieldwork techniques include:
A -making written observations about what you see. Make sure you include the date and your location. It
can be useful to also note weather conditions.
B -making written notes about comments from experts in the field. Today these comments will come from
your teachers. In other cases, it may be from a scientist, a government official, a Park Ranger and so on.
C -making field sketches, as explained below.
D -taking relevant photographs, as explained below

1. Using Field Sketches in Geography

Refer to hand out from this week on how to do a field
sketch. Today, try and draw field sketches of relevant
scenes. Annotate any sketches and add useful labels
(see page 3 example). Draw a neat copy of your field
sketch when you write up your enquiry.

2. A good field sketch should include:4

General shape of the landscape and major landforms

Major built features
Major transport routes
Specific details relevant to the study in hand
Annotation around the periphery linked by lines where appropriate
Annotation on the sketch if appropriate
A note of the location of the sketcher and the direction being faced
A note of the date and time
Any other notes to accompany the sketch. These will be in your written report when you refer to the
sketch.

3. So how do you actually DO a field sketch again? I wasnt listening this week
3.1 Methodology (in brief)
a. Identify a frame for the sketch - holding up your hands in a frame shape may help to do this.
b. Draw a frame onto the paper using a grey lead pencil. Label the direction and bearing, and a short
written description of the view'. You could add a grid reference later.
c. A really useful tip if sketching a large landscape eg the Adelaide coastline looking South from
Glenelg, is to divide the paper roughly into thirds. The upper (sky and horizon), the middle ground,
and the fore ground.
d. Start by sketching the outlines of the things furthest away, and work towards the fore ground, adding
detail as you go.
3.2 Considerations
a. Scale - this can be tricky, especially when sketching a large landscape area. Starting the sketch with the
things furthest away and working towards you will help. Add something of known height (a person? A
Poodle? ) to help give idea of scale.
b. Slopes (eg the slope of a rip rap wall) drawing the correct angle of a slope can be tricky. Try holding
a pencil away from you, towards the slope and then transfer it to the paper.
c. Use photography to compliment your field sketch. Photos can be used to add detail to your sketch
later, which you may not have had the time to include or suitable conditions to achieve in the field.
d. The field sketch needs to be fit for purpose' to add value to your written report - this takes some
thought and consideration. It's very easy to just knock out' the odd quick sketch. Spend time
considering the worth of why you are representing the field by sketch or photo ie make sure it is
relevant.
3.3 Using field sketches AND photographs within your investigation
a. Photo-editing software can be used to enhance, crop, label and annotate digital shots. Prints can be
scanned in and manipulated in much the same way.
5

b. Labels should be used to pick out the main features, and annotations to comment on certain aspects in
order to bring out the main message' you're trying to convey. See the examples below.
c. Photographs can be arranged around a map extract, field sketch or diagram as a visual
presentation of certain features, areas or processes.
d. Your own sketches and photographs can be used to examine changes over time by comparing them to
secondary sources of data, e.g. an old photograph. .
e. Care should be taken to ensure that the field sketches and photographs are clearly incorporated into
the investigation and that their purpose is explicit; otherwise their worth is questionable and may even
devalue the report.