Year level: 5-12
Group size: 25 (Negotiable)
Duration: 1–1.5 hrs
Details of activity
Activity may focus on the adaptations of mangroves enabling them to live successfully in a unique habitat, the role mangroves play in creating a healthy and biodiverse ecosystem or the identification of different species. Some pre-visit knowledge is highly recommended. Timing is tidally restricted but students do not get too muddy. Consider time of day and year for heat, sand-flies and mosquitoes. Slideshows available on Mangrove ID and also Mangrove Adaptations. Can be combined with a Mangrove Animals Activity. Focus of mangrove plants activity is negotiated with the visiting Teacher but would likely be chosen from:
- Sustainability and human impacts on the environment.
- Ecosystems and ecologies.
- Classification of organisms.
- Adaptations of organisms.
- Field work (Transect searches, soil sampling, biodiversity studies).
(Or combinations of above).
Learning intent
Biodiversity
- Use a key to identify different species of mangrove and using the scientific name to access further information.
- Identify the adaptations in mangrove plants that enable them to survive in this specialised environment.
- Record and interpret data monitoring local biodiversity.
Sustainability
- Value the role of mangroves and natural coastal ecosystems in maintaining biodiversity.
- Recognise the impacts, both positive and negative, that humans have had on Mangrove plants.
- Evaluate the short and long term effects of these impacts.
- Discuss possible methods of sustainably managing the estuary in the future.
Ecosystems and ecologies
- Identify the factors creating connectivity between systems.
- Identify patterns, zonation and species distributions in an estuary and explain these.
- Understand the ecology of select species.
- History - recognise locations of significance in indigenous history and post European settlement.
- Recognise the natural processes and events of the past; consider possible impacts of similar events in the future.
Critical & creative thinking