VCE Environmental Science

Samphire halosarcia  (Blackseed glasswort)

As I will be attending the school cross country event tomorrow (Tuesday, 26th May), I will not be in class. You are to go on with your Field Guide of Salt Marsh plants, including images, common and scientific names of plants you are likely to find in the wetlands at Killarney. There is a list in an earlier post to refer to. Make sure you have at least ten species to identify in the field.

You also have copies of three past exam papers to complete prior to the Unit 3 exam (2.45pm Wednesday 10th June). As June 8th is a public holiday for Queen’s birthday, I am proposing that we do a practise exam either next Monday (on our return for the salt marsh) or after school next Tuesday.

Photo Source

The Convention on Biological Diversity, agreed to by 191 countries in 2004, stated that at least 10% of the world’s forests should be protected to allow sufficient protection of biological diversity. Currently, only 7.7% globally is protected, although regions of the Amazon, south-east Asia and Alaska have over 50% of their forests preserved. Read more here.

Your task is to create a virtual tour using Mapwing of the world’s Biodiversity Hot spots, using the map we have in class. You can do a virtual tour of the world’s Coral Reefs at Mapwing. 

Flickr  CC images converted to Panorama in Irfanview

United Nations declared Friday 22nd May as International Day for Biological Diversity, to increase awareness and understanding of biodiversity issues. This year, the theme is invasive alien species – one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, and to the economic and ecological well-being of society and the planet. More information from the ARKive newsletter and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Photo Source

The following are the genus names of some of the food plants of the Orange Bellied Parrot, that we will be identifying at Killarney on Monday. Get a picture of each of these plants, so you can identify them on our excursion. Remember to bring a digital camera or mobile phone to take pictures of plants we cannot identify. Other equipment required includes: tape measures, metre rulers, clipboards, pencil, field guides for coastal vegetation and suitable footware for wet ground.

 Sarcocornia
Halosarcia
Sclerostegia – (glassworts)
Chenopodium – (goosefoot)
Atriplex – (saltbushes)
Frankenia – (sea-heath)
Suaeda – (sea blight)
 

Coastal wetlands at Port Fairy – OBP habitat (picture by Tracey Grey)

Population Viability Analysis is a process to identify the threats to a species and the likelihood that it will survive into the future. PVA aims to protect a threatened species in the short term and then to establish a population that will be maintained naturally, without intensive management in the longer term. The process includes:

1. Planning research and data collection

2. Assessing vulnerability.

3. Ranking management options.

More information about Population Viability Analysis from Wikipedia and other sources.

Environmental Risk Assessment deals with the probability of an event causing a potentially undesirable effect. Quantitative risk assessment thus deals with statistics, because probability is the mathematical measure of risk, and with hazard assessment which determines the nature of the undesirable effect.

The Precautionary Principle states that where irreversible damage may be caused due to an action, policy or  development, then the onus is upon the decision-makers to prove that there will be no undue impact on the environment. When there is a lack of scientific data upon which a decison can be made, then no action should be taken that may impact upon the environment.

Part 1: Introduction to Biodiversity

Part 2: Biodiversity and the extinction crisis

Part 3: Setting Global Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation

Part 4: Identifying Priority Species for Biodiversity Conservation

Part 5: Identifying Priority Sites for Biodiversity Conservation

Harrison Ford for Conservation International

Photo by Chris Tzaros/Birds Australia in an article at ABC Rural “Habitat project could save rare parrot”

“The endangered orange-bellied parrot is back in the spotlight, this time playing a part in the future of the $3 billion Wonthaggi desalination plant. Fresh from its central role in the Gippsland wind farm debacle, the parrot has been named on a list of plants and animals that could hold up the massive project. The list also includes the giant Gippsland earthworm, hooded plover, glossy grass skink, southern brown bandicoot and the growling grass frog. Unique to a small part of South Gippsland, the giant earthworm — which grows up to 2m — is listed as a vulnerable species under Commonwealth law.

Growling grass frogs were a major stumbling block for the Craigieburn bypass and VicRoads spent $250,000 on fences to protect them along the Pakenham bypass. The State Government released details of the planned environmental effects study on the desalination plant in January. Planning Minister Justin Madden said preliminary studies had shown the need for further investigation of the impact on animals, plants and the landscape. Experts will attempt to predict the potential effects of the desalination plant on various animal species during construction and operation. This could be either through direct disturbance or dust, noise, increased human presence, habitat change or disease.

The study will consider the economic impact of the desalination plant, but not on individual businesses. “Financial implications of the project, such as influences on specific business enterprises or compensation, will not need to be assessed as part of the EES,” the report said. Despite continued public opposition, work is scheduled to begin on the desalination plant this year and desalinated water should flow to Melbourne by 2011.” Article from http://ricchione.de/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=20&Itemid=88

Screen capture from http://scribblemaps.com/#id=bZWgRJkpGX

Go to Google Scribble maps at http://scribblemaps.com/ and draw the Winter and Summer migration route of the OBP. Use different colours and label you map accordingly. Remember to SAVE your map and you can post it on your blog.

Birds Australia article about OBP – includes identification, habitat, volunteer opportunities and maps.

Came across this interesting article about “offset packages” – what a wind turbine developer is doing to offset the risk of fatalities due to wind turbines.

Photos by Tacey Gray, Port Fairy Consolidated.

The Orange Bellied Parrot feeds on the beaded glasswort (above left) as well as a range of the seeds and fruits from grasses, sedges and herbs. It roosts in coastal shrubs, such as the woolly tea tree (above right), which provides protection from predators, including foxes and feral cats.

Threats to the OBP include:

• loss and alteration of winter habitat, in particular destruction of its saltmarsh feeding grounds, by industrial and urban development, agricultural practices and recreation
• its small population, making it extremely sensitive to sudden catastrophes such as disease and storms during migrations across Bass Strait
• predation by introduced predators, especially foxes and  feral cats
• competition from introduced seed-eating birds
• loss of genetic variation because of its small population size. 

Management to prevent extinction of this species is contained in the Orange Bellied Parrot Recovery Plan (2005 – 2009), which aims to:

• Monitor the population size, productivity, survival and life history of the Orange-bellied Parrot.
• Identify and document all sites used by Orange-bellied Parrots.
• Increase the carrying capacity of habitat through active management of sites throughout the species’ range.
• Identify and measure threats, particularly in migratory and winter habitats.
• Increase the number of breeding sub-populations.
• Maintain a viable captive population.
• Foster community support and involvement in the conservation and recovery of the species and its habitat.
• Secure adequate funding and support to successfully implement the Recovery Plan.
• Manage, review and report on the recovery process.

OBP Brochure from the Australian Government Department of Natural Heritage and Environment.

National Recovery Plan for the Orange Bellied Parrot.

Image by Dave Watts (OBP Recovery Team, Victoria)

The Orange Bellied Parrot has recently begun it’s treacherous migration across Bass Strait, from it’s spring and summer breeding grounds in the south west of Tasmania, to the Victorian and SA coast. There are only about 200 individuals of this species and less than 50 mature breeding pairs. Over the next few weeks volunteers will be visiting known feeding and roosting sites to count the numbers that have survived since their last visit.

Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act statement

EPBC – Australian Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts - OBP Recovery Plan.

Orange Bellied Parrot – BIRD

ARKive – OBP

BirdLife International – OBP

Zoos Victoria – Orange Bellied Parrot

Museum Victoria – Biodiversity

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species – OBP