Stage 4 Coastal Landscapes, Landforms and Water Field Trip
Either at Long Reef or North Narrabeen Beaches, students will learn to:
- GE4-2 Describe the processes that form and transform coastal environments.
- GE4-5 Discuss the management of environments for their sustainability.
- GE4-7 Select and use geographical tools to acquire geographic information.
- GE4-8 Communicates geographical information using a variety of strategies.
Coastal Landscapes, Landforms and Water at Long Reef (max 9 classes)
Depending on the tide and the number of classes, students may arrive at Long Reef SLSC or Fisherman’s Beach, Collaroy for a welcome and brief introduction by your CEC educators.
Near the lagoon entrance, students consider the recreational use of the lagoon and suggest a plan to test the water quality for primary contact. Students conduct a range of indicative tests to examine the health of this estuary. Tests include water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, pH, turbidity, visible pollution and biodiversity. Students interpret their results and discuss how to mitigate stresses on this system and improve its health. They observe the lagoon entrance and predict the impact of heavy rain.
In Long Reef dunes, student’s use an enquiry-based technique to explain how the availability of water, (due to increased organic content in the soil) changes the height and complexity of the dune vegetation over the dune profile. They work in small teams to predict then measure and record a range of primary data across the dune system. They interpret their results and suggest a sustainable management strategy to protect dunes.
In Long Reef dunes, student’s use an enquiry-based technique to explain how the availability of water, (due to increased organic content in the soil) changes the height and complexity of the dune vegetation over the dune profile. They work in small teams to predict then measure and record a range of primary data across the dune system. They interpret their results and suggest a sustainable management strategy to protect dunes.
Walk over Long Reef Headland, where students observe and describe the coastal landscape features, local geology and geomorphic processes that form and transform coastal environments, including tectonic activity, weathering, erosion and deposition operating along the foredune and the lagoon catchment. At the lookout, students will view the coastal landscape and complete a field sketch and label the observed coastal landforms. Interpret aerial photos to identify the past and present land use and discuss how run off might affect lagoon ecosystem. Consider recreational use of the lagoon considering the water quality results. Students walk from Long Reef lookout around the base of the headland, back to Fisherman’s Beach observing features of the landscape and local Geology.
Lunch and morning tea can be enjoyed at Long Reef SLSC with access to shelter, toilets and water.
Coastal Landscapes, Landforms and Water at North Narrabeen and Coastal Environment Centre (max. 6 classes)
Students arrive at the CEC carpark in Narrabeen and walk to the Coastal Environment Centre for a welcome and brief introduction by your CEC educators, after a brief morning tea / toilet break.
At the CEC, students enjoy a brief lecture describing the coastal landscape features, local geology and geomorphic processes that form and transform coastal environments, including weathering, erosion and deposition operating along the foredune and within the lagoon catchment. Students engage in a wave tank simulation of coastal processes and a sedimentation investigation on the effects of vegetation and mulch on soil stability.
Within the dune system at North Narrabeen Students identify the dominant height and type of the dune plants. Students describe how the sediment samples change as they move through the dunes and explain how the availability of water, (due to increased organic content in the soil) changes the height and complexity of the dune vegetation. On the beach, observe and describe the coastal processes that form and transform coastal environments, including the processes currently operating at the lagoon entrance.
On Narrabeen Headland, students complete a field sketch and label coastal landforms and identify how land use and run-off might affect the lagoon ecosystem.
Near the lagoon entrance, students consider the recreational use of the lagoon and suggest a plan to test the water quality for primary contact. Students conduct a range of indicative tests to examine the health of this estuary. Tests include water temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, pH, turbidity, visible pollution and biodiversity. Students interpret their results and discuss how to mitigate stresses on this system and improve its health. They observe the lagoon entrance and predict the impact of heavy rain.
Lunch and morning tea can be enjoyed at the CEC or North Narrabeen SLSC with access to shelter, toilets and water.