Factors Affecting a Local Ecosystem Assignment

Task

1. Select ONE investigation question from the list below:
   • What factors have led to the decline within the population of Feathertail Gliders within Nattai National Park? Is it feasible to introduce a breeding population to re-establish this species within its previous range?
   • Discuss the potential impacts on society and the environment if Sydney Water raised the wall of Warragamba Dam by 10 metres.
2. Develop a hypothesis based on the investigation you have selected from the above list.
3. Describe the context of the Wooglemai site and explain the relevance of the site to your investigation
4. Process and analyse the field data you collected at Wooglemai, in light of your chosen investigation eg what factors would affect distribution and abundance of feathertail gliders (be sure to include information on the biotic and abiotic factors that suit the species (or may preclude the species) from thriving and breeding on this site), OR what environmental changes (biotic and abiotic) and impacts on society have been caused by the construction of the Warragamba Dam wall and what further changes do you predict if the dam wall was raised?
5. Conduct further research to test your hypothesis and answer the investigation question eg you may wish to reference other seeding colonies that have been trialled at sites in Australia with different species, OR find out about the environmental and societal effects of some other dams in Australia and research arguments for and against raising of the Warragamba Dam wall.
6. Select an appropriate method to communicate your findings to an audience of Stage 6 Science students. You may select from one of the following options or discuss an alternative with your teacher:
   • Oral presentation
   • Visual display
   • Multimedia product (such as a short film, a website or a documentary)
   • Written report