GCSE Geography Fieldwork 2019 Welcome to your Geography fieldwork

Geographers like to conduct geographical fieldwork. This allows geographers to see how well the theory in the textbook links to the real world.

Fieldwork is the bit geographers enjoy the most! Today we are going to conduct a piece of fieldwork on the changes in cross profile and long profile of a (study of the physical environment). ‘What variables can be measured in a river?’ Task: Describe the location of Carding Mill on a national scale.

Carding Mill Valley is located… Brook is a of the in , , running to south of the . The rises in the Stretton Hills and discharges into the River Severn at after winding its way for 25 miles (40 km) across the southern Shropshire-Severn plains. The flow of the Cound Brook can vary from sluggish in a dry summer to a raging torrent in winter or . The river is crossed by several bridges along its route including two historic and unusual iron bridges. Several other roads cross the river as fords. The river has breached its banks on the lower plain several times in the past and is now monitored by the local authority.

Locating the study area

Create a sketch map of Carding Mill Valley Annotate the sketch map to show the human and natural features of the area

Extension: for each feature, explain your understanding.

E.g. Explain how the feature was formed Explain how the feature affects the velocity of the river Explain how the feature manages the river landscape

Explain what you know about the feature (e.g. how the features affects the river /flood risk? Or how the feature manages the river (hard/soft engineering)?)

Identify human or physical feature

Field Sketch

How do I structure my geographical investigation...

STEP 1 Create a question or hypothesis for investigation.

Choose two or three ways to collect your data that STEP 2 will help you answer the question.

Select two or three ways to present your data, using STEP 3 graphs, maps and images.

STEP 4 Analyse and summarise your main findings What questions can be investigated….

EXAMPLE –How does the depth change downstream? Geographical Question Grid…. Is? Did? Can? Would? Will? Might?

What?

Where?

When?

Who?

Why?

How? Choose a Hypothesis to investigate (H1)

The cross profile (width and depth) of Cound Brook increases downstream from the source OR

The size of the in Cound Brook decreases downstream from the source OR

The velocity of Cound Brook increases downstream from the source Types of data collection

This data is numerical in form, or Primary Data can be placed into categories for counting. This data includes people’s Secondary Data opinions, perspectives, thoughts and feelings. This is data you collect yourself, Quantitative or as part of a group. - first hand information. This is data collected by someone Qualitative else for a different purpose. This can include books, newspapers and OS maps. The Bradshaw Model

The Bradshaw model is a theoretical model that helps describe the changes we would expect as a river travels from its source regions in its upper course, downstream, through the middle course and into the lower course towards its mouth. It is shown below as a series of triangles. If the triangle gets wider towards the downstream section it means that on average that variable increases with increasing distance downstream from the source. If the triangle decreases in size it means that on average the variable decreases with increasing distance towards the mouth. However, due to the nature of rivers and the ever-changing environment in which we live not all rivers fit the model perfectly; therefore the model is usually used in order to compare natural rivers to concepts laid down by the model. We can compare what we find during out fieldwork to the Bradshaw Model below.

Secondary Data Examples of secondary data: • Environmental Agency Flood Risk Map • Gauge Map Sampling Types

Sampling Description How would you carry type out this type of sampling? Random Data is collected by Sampling chance. Systematic Data is collected at Sampling equal intervals.

Stratified Deliberately choosing Sampling where to sample. Students have selected the following locations to survey a river.

1) What type of sampling have the students used to determine the locations?

2) Why have students selected that type of sampling?

3) Why might other types of sampling be less effective?

Assessing the risks One of the most important things to think about when planning a piece of fieldwork is to make sure it will be safe. It is essential to do a risk assessment. What is the risk Risk Level (1 -unlikely to 5 - How can you reduce the risk? Probable)

Uneven surfaces, trips, slips and falls.

Drowning

Weils disease

Meeting members of the public

Weather conditions Choosing our data collection sites You will need to visit contrasting sites with your teacher. At each site you need to conduct the following types of primary data collection. Fieldwork Checklist (Must complete)

1. Width and depth of the 2. Sediment size (5 pieces of sediment) 3. Velocity 4. Annotated photograph 5. Environmental noise survey (iPad app) - Sound Meter app.

Optional - Draw a field sketch or take photographs to support your investigation Fieldwork Safety Message Your safety is our priority!

1. Exemplary behaviour when walking around the local community (Courteous, polite and respectful)

2. Give way to members of the public

3. Listen carefully to your teacher's instructions

4. Stay with your group at all times.

5. Walk on the pavements and pay particular attention when crossing roads.

6. Inform your teacher immediately of any problems. Any concerns regarding the safety of a student will lead to removal from the fieldwork section Methodology Purpose of Sampling Description of Location/ Problems I How did I method Type method- how did Sites experienced whilst overcome these you collect the collecting the data problems? data? Measuring the depth of the river

Measuring the width of the river

Measuring the velocity of the river

Measuring the sediment size Presenting your fieldwork data Geographers present their results using maps, tables and graphs. This makes it easier to read and identify trends in the data. Present the data that best helps to answer your hypothesis.

Bar graph

Pictogram The data you can present is…. 1. Width and depth of the Pie Chart channel Use a range 2. Sediment size of methods Proportional symbols 3. Velocity (Circles) 4. Annotated photograph 5. Environmental noise survey Radar graph for (iPad app) - Sound Meter environmental quality survey app.

All graphs must have a title, be drawn with a ruler and have axes labelled! How do the river valley and channel characteristics vary along Carding Mill Valley? THE WRITE UP.

Data presentation…write up.

This is basically what you will need to make sure you have from the trip… Velocity calculations Discharge calculations Annotated photographs and/or field sketches River channel profiles Secondary Data GIS Map First you’ll nee to complete this part of your results…

Have you completed your field sketches Copy these with annotations? bits Long profile sketch?

You work out these parts Graphs…

Velocity Discharge

Site Site You are basically comparing your data to a variety of models…

Increases or decreases?

1. The gradient of the river channel… DECREASES

2. Width and depth of the river channel… INCREASES

3. Vertical … DECREASES

4. Lateral erosion… INCREASES

5. Friction… DECREASES

6. Sediment size… DECREASES

7. Velocity… INCREASES

8. Discharge… INCREASES

9. What happens to the shape of the sediment? MORE ROUNDED Secondary Data http://www.gaugemap.co.uk/#!Map/Summary/1149/1252

Analysis

Describe the general trends from your data – for example, ‘the width of the river increases travelling downstream‘

…try to use as many elements of the ‘Bradshaw model’ and ‘Long Profile’

Make comparisons using data – for example, ‘the width of the river increased by 3.5m between sites 1 and 4

Explain the patterns of your data with links to geographical process– for example, ‘the width of the river has increased because of lateral erosion…’

...what processes created your results?

Colour code your work to highlight: figures and data --- terminology and theory --- explanations Conclusion

What did your investigation find out?

Summarise your findings and link each to the evidence

Point out any anomalies in your data – the results that are different from what you expected

How closely does the Carding Mill Valley River follow the Bradshaw Model and Long Profile?

Secondary data evidence? Does it match yours? Evaluation How successful and useful were your methods for sampling and collecting data? How could they be improved? How accurate were your results? Did your data collection methods affect the results? Did missing or inaccurate data make the study unreliable or affect the results? Did missing or inaccurate data make the study unreliable or affect your conclusions? How could the investigation be extended?

Simple Statistics

Mean The mean is the average for the data set. This is found by adding up all the numbers and dividing the result by the number of values present.

Median The median is the middle value in a set of numbers. It is found by arranging the numbers in order, and identifying the number in the middle. If there are two middle values you need to add them together and divide by 2.

Mode The mode is the most common value in a group of numbers. Look for the number that appears the most, this is the mode number. What did we find out from our research? Analysis - what do the graphs and maps show? H Highs - what are your highest results. Include the data in your sentences.

L Lows - what are your lowest results. Include the data in your sentences.

T Trends - what is the relationship between places and traffic, environment, services, pedestrian and noise. Give reasons to explain your data. Use geographical terminology. A Anomalies - Did any of your data not fit the trends? Why do you think this data is different? Give your reasons. What did we find out from our research?

Language of analysis

Cause and Emphasis Explaining Suggesting effect As a result of… above all... This shows... could be caused by... this results in…. mainly…. because... This looks like... consequently … mostly... similarly points towards... The effects of Most As a result of... The evidence this are…. significantly…. shows... Our research is coming to an end…. What did we find out from our research?

Conclusion - What are the most important findings

HYPOTHESIS – The cross profile (width and depth) of Cound Brook increases downstream from the source

Use the knowledge and understanding you have gained to through your fieldwork and secondary research to answer your hypothesis.

What did your research tell you about the cross profile of Cound Brook? You should either ‘accept’ or ‘reject’ your hypothesis statement depending on your research.

Future: Why is this type of geographical research important for Cound Brook? Who else may benefit from your research?