Lesson Three- Comparing and Contrasting: The Great Barrier Reef & Stockton Bight Sand Dunes.

Introduction

This is the third and final lesson of your online comparative study. In the first two lessons of the comparative study, you were introduced to the case studies of the Great Barrier Reef and Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes individually. In this lesson of the comparative study, you will now compare and contrast the two case studies through more in-depth research and analysis.

Upon the completion of the online comparative study, you should have a strong understanding and application of geographical issues with relation to ecosystems at risk, as well as two case studies to support your knowledge. This information will allow you to write your report with confidence.

Task

You have just been appointed to a new position as a senior research analyst for the Bureau of Environmental Research for Ecosystems at Risk. You will be required to complete a comparative study of the following two Ecosystems at Risk- The Great Barrier Reef and Stockton Bight Dunes. At the completion of your research, you will be required to write a 750 word report that analyses and evaluates the management strategies for both ecosystems. This report will need to be submitted to your supervisor. The report should specifically refer to the effectiveness and practicality of management strategies for each ecosystem, and any other recommendations you may have for improved or alternative strategies for the ecosystems. Your report will be used as part of a set of evidence and data which will be presented at the National Ecosystems at Risk 2017 Conference in Canberra.

Process

1. Open your Word Document. You will need it to complete most of the following activities.

2. Watch the following video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8WXiEBf4Oc

3. Visit the following website:

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-the-reef/animals/crown-of-thorns-starfish/about-outbreaks

The crown of thorn starfish is a natural threat which places the Great Barrier Reef at risk.

4. Use the following link and the video, to:

Describe what Crown of Thorn Starfish are .
Evaluate how they are impacting on the Great Barrier Reef, and why.
Evaluate the current methods for minimising the impact of the Crown of Thorn Starfish.
Recommend alternative methods for dealing with this threat.

5. Use the following link. On the left of the page is a table of contents. Read the information under "2.5 Adjustments to Natural Stress".

http://www.mrstevennewman.com/geo/GBR/index.html

6. Analyse the other natural threats that are posed to the Great Barrier Reef.

Use the following link. On the left of the page is a table of contents. Read the information under "2.5 Adjustments to Natural Stress".

http://www.mrstevennewman.com/geo/Stockton/Home/index.html

7. On your word document:

Describe the natural threats that place the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes at risk.
Evaluate how these natural threats are impacting on the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes.
On the template provided (Y-chart):
Compare and contrast the natural threats of the Great Barrier Reef and the Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes, and the impact of those threats.
Evaluate the similarities and/or differences between the natural threats of the two ecosystems at risk and whether their geographical location has an impact on it.

8. Watch the following video and visit the following website:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdJyS13oC7U

https://www.coolaustralia.org/challenges-and-solutions-for-the-great-barrier-reef/

9. Open CmapTools. Create a Cmap that demonstrates how global warming and climate change are impacting on the Great Barrier Reef.

10. Use the following link. On the left of the page is a table of contents. Read the information under "4.0 Human Impacts".

http://www.mrstevennewman.com/geo/Stockton/Home/index.html

11. Use the following links. On the left of each page is a table of contents. Read the information under "5.1 Traditional Management" and "5.2 Contemporary Management" on both pages.

http://www.mrstevennewman.com/geo/GBR/index.html

http://www.mrstevennewman.com/geo/Stockton/Home/index.html

http://www.4wdnow.com/news/150-stockton-beach-draft-plan-of-management

Analyse and evaluate the negative human impacts on the Stockton Bight coastal sand dunes.

12. In preparation for writing your final 750 word comparative report, you are to complete the following comparative table on your word document:

The columns are to be labelled "The Great Barrier Reef" and "Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes".
The rows are to be labelled "Traditional Management" and "Contemporary Management".
Complete the table by summarising the information presented on the links provided.

Homework Task: On your word document, analyse and evaluate the management strategies for both ecosystems at risk. Your answer should refer to the effectiveness and practicality of the management strategies, and any recommendations you may have for improved or alternative strategies.

13. Final Task:

You have just been appointed to a new position as a senior research analyst for the Bureau of Environmental Research for Ecosystems at Risk. You will be required to complete a comparative study of the following two Ecosystems at Risk- The Great Barrier Reef and Stockton Bight Dunes. At the completion of your research, you will be required to write a 750 word report that analyses and evaluates the management strategies for both ecosystems. This report will need to be submitted to your supervisor. The report should specifically refer to the effectiveness and practicality of management strategies for each ecosystem, and any other recommendations you may have for improved or alternative strategies for the ecosystems. Your report will be used as part of a set of evidence and data which will be presented at the National Ecosystems at Risk 2017 Conference in Canberra.

You now have the information required to be able to submit your final report to the Bureau.