Department for Environment and Heritage Discover Nature on Eyre Peninsula Education Resource www.environment.sa.gov.au Citation Ancell, D, Dewdney, S & Ide, A 2005, Discover Nature on Eyre Peninsula Education Resource, Department for Environment and Heritage, Port Lincoln, South Australia. For further information contact West Region Department for Environment and Heritage Street address 75 Liverpool Street, Port Lincoln SA 5606 Postal address PO Box 22, Port Lincoln SA 5606 Phone (08) 8688 3111 Fax (08) 8688 3110 Web www.environment.sa.gov.au Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information displayed, the Department, its agents, officers and employees make no representations, either express or implied, that the information displayed is accurate or fit for any purpose and expressly disclaims all liability for loss or damage arising from reliance upon the information displayed. The opinions expressed in this document are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government, the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage, the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management Group or the University of South Australia. © Department for Environment and Heritage All rights reserved ISBN: 1 9210 1808 9 FIS: RC 2220.05 Printed September 2005 Printed on recycled paper Contents Introduction to Discover Nature on Eyre Peninsula Education Resource ...............................................iii How to use the education resource ...........................................................................................................iv Taking action with student extension activities .........................................................................................v We’re all interconnected Topic 1: Energy flow and food webs – who eats who? ............................................................................1 Topic 2: Biodiversity ......................................................................................................................................19 There’s no place like home Topic 3: Habitat ...........................................................................................................................................27 Topic 4: Habitat fragmentation .................................................................................................................37 Rescuing our future Topic 5: Introduced species – feral foes ...................................................................................................51 Topic 6: Threatened species ......................................................................................................................63 Appendixes Appendix 1: Threatened animals and plants of Eyre Peninsula.............................................................71 Appendix 2: Rare or threatened plant communities of Eyre Peninsula ................................................75 Appendix 3: Resources and contacts .......................................................................................................77 Appendix 4: SACSA references ..................................................................................................................81 Appendix 5: Blank pages ............................................................................................................................83 Appendix 6: Feedback survey for Discover Nature on Eyre Peninsula Education Resource.............87 Discover Nature on Eyre Peninsula Education Resource i Acknowledgements This education resource was produced by the Department for Environment and Heritage’s Ark on Eyre program in collaboration with the University of South Australia’s Sustainable Environment Research Group. It was funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust through the Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management Group. Contributors Sonia Dewdney, Di Ancell and Amy Ide (Authors), Sheila Brown, Delene Weber and Bill Marsh (Editors), Yvonne Zeegers (Curriculum Specialist), Amanda Gabbell (Project Officer) and George Aldridge (Artist). Advisors Thanks to the following teaching/extension staff on Eyre Peninsula: Delia Farlam, Sheridan Martin (Department for Environment and Heritage), Lucinda Lincoln (Port Lincoln Primary School), David Murray (Lock Area School and Miltaburra Area School), Shane Best (Wudinna Area School), Graham McConnell (Port Lincoln Primary School), Joanne Tanner and Nicole Humphries (Cleve Area School), Robyn Kenny (Cowell Area School), Ron Blacker (Miltaburra Area School), Michelle McEvoy (Karcultaby Area School), Kylie Underwood (Elliston Area School) and David Larritt and Graham Hearne (Australian Association for Environmental Education). Photographers Department for Environment and Heritage: Jason Van Weenan, Ross Allen, Amy Ide, Paula Peeters, Anthony Freebairn, Manfred Jusaitis, Katrina Pobke, Peter Canty, Rachael Kannussaar, Michael Kemp, Robert Bates, Geraldine Fuss, Colin Gill, Darrell Kraehenbuehl. ii Discover Nature on Eyre Peninsula Education Resource Introduction to Discover Nature on Eyre Peninsula Education Resource This education resource is designed to help teachers on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula increase students’ understanding and passion about the environment and biodiversity conservation as part of the Ark on Eyre program. Ark on Eyre is an initiative of the Department for Environment and Heritage to raise community awareness and involvement in biodiversity conservation on Eyre Peninsula. By helping students understand the processes underlying environmental problems we can empower them to make a positive contribution to the future of Eyre Peninsula. The activities within this book encourage students to discover that our environment is not only important, it is fascinating. Eyre Peninsula is a veritable ‘Noah’s Ark’ with many unique plant and animal species that still call this region home. With a relatively large amount of remnant vegetation remaining, Eyre Peninsula is fortunate to have approximately 1318 plant, 107 reptile, 244 bird, 4 amphibian and 40 mammal species. Awareness of the interrelationships between our air, water, soil, plants and animals is vital to keeping Eyre Peninsula healthy. Teachers and students will discover that we are part of the web of life. This environmental education resource has been developed for use with students in years 4, 5 and 6. The six topics build upon one another to help give students a sound foundation on which they can make responsible decisions to help protect our environment. The lessons meet the curriculum requirements of the South Australian Curriculum Standards and Accountability (SACSA) Framework and contain both indoor and outdoor activities. Appendix 4 details the SACSA references for these activities. It is hoped that this education resource will allow teachers and students of the Eyre Peninsula region to become aware of, and take an interest in, the biodiversity assets in their own backyard. Discover Nature on Eyre Peninsula Education Resource iii How to use the education resource Each topic is divided into several parts including themes, background information for teachers and suggested activities. Throughout the topics, the Malleefowl is used as an example to assist students in understanding principles and to raise awareness of this threatened species. It is important that full use is made of the students’ prior knowledge and prediction skills during the introduction of each aspect of the topics. Topic plans assume that the class teacher is aware of the level of understanding and achievement of the students in the class and will modify terminology and activities as required. Assessment of student learning is not explicitly dealt with in this resource, as it is assumed that assessments can be developed by class teachers to suit specific learning situations. Suggested activities may be taken as full day, half day or sessional blocks depending on class needs and timetabling. Lists of materials are given for each activity and are suggestions, which may be modified according to the resources available to the class. At the back of the education resource are blank pages with nature theme borders for your use. The Gould League and the Institute for Earth Education (see Appendix 3 Resources and contacts for details) have published numerous activities, which are available for purchase. These activities would complement the material in this Discover Nature on Eyre Peninsula Education Resource. It is important to note that not all activities need to be used to get the concepts across to students. Reinforcement and repetition can however assist in student learning and provide some flexibility for teachers. Early experiences in the bush may determine future attitudes. Positive experiences and the modelling of positive behaviours will assist in providing positive attitudes and behaviours towards natural heritage. iv Discover Nature on Eyre Peninsula Education Resource Taking action with student extension activities Learn by doing! Adopt a patch of land to study or restore! Your class or school may wish to adopt a bushland or roadside site close to school or a site within your school grounds. Students can learn about the plants and wildlife that live there, set up photopoints, map weeds and rabbit warrens, engage in revegetation (where appropriate) and learn to propagate native plants. Eyre Peninsula Natural Resource Management Board officers (e.g. Authorised officers, Landcare officers and Bush Management advisors)