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General Integrated Science

Year 12
Task 2 Unit 3 Science Inquiry
Report on Abiotic Factors at the Bushy Hill site

Name:

Suggested factors to consider in the Report

Date: February 2016

Process, evaluate and communicate findings in a draft scientific report.


1. Introduction
(4 marks)
o provide a brief history of the land use and development of the area surrounding the Bushy Hill
ecosystem.
o discuss the possible effects of the land use on soil quality, include rainfall data for the Bushy Hill
locations.
o include a landscape sketch or photograph/s of the ecosystem.
History of Land Use
See http://integratedsciencegeneral.weebly.com/task-3-investigation-monitoring-an-ecosystem-overtime.html
Scroll to the Report on BUSHY HILL FLORA SURVEY AND FIELD HERBARIUM November 2010
Read Page 2 The Study Area.
Climate data
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_009017.shtml
Rainfall Data

Sketch of Map of the area


There are many examples that you may take form our website.

2. Materials: Briefly outline the equipment used (include quantities).


1. Temperature is measured with a thermometer.

(1 marks)

2. Water repellent sands and soils


filter paper, filter funnel, measuring cylinder, distilled water, beakers.
3. pH
electronic pH probes.

4. Organic material

Bunsen burner, crucible, tongs, electronic balance.

5.
Chlorides
Test with silver nitrate.

What did you measure?

6.
Presence of carbonate minerals
Describe how you will test for carbonate minerals in the soils of both ecosystems.
Add a few drops of HCl and observe any fizzing.
acid + carbonate minerals ! carbon dioxide + salt + water

What did you measure?

3. Method: Describe the method used for gathering the data on the six abiotic factors.( 5 marks)
Very brief with a labelled scientific drawing

4. Results:
1. Temperature

(3 marks)

What did you measure?


Heights? Above, on below surface?

2. Water repellent sands and soils

What did you measure?


Time taken for water to drip through?
Volume of water to drip through in a set time?

.
3. pH
electronic pH probes.

What did you measure?


pH <7 is acidic, pH = 7 is neutral, pH >7 is basic

4. Organic material

What did you measure?


initial mass of soil sample.
final mass of soil sample.
Calculate the difference.
The difference = the organic matter that was lost.
To compare results we have to make a standard, for example calculate all samples out of say 100
grams. This is called the percentage
Percentage of organic material

the loss of mass

initial mass of soil sample.

100

5. Chlorides
Test with silver nitrate.

What did you measure?


What did you observe?

6.

Presence of carbonate minerals


acid + carbonate minerals ! carbon dioxide + salt + water

What did you measure?


What did you observe?

5. Discussion:
o

(4 marks)

suggest ways in which the collection of data could have been improved

Temperature
How valid are the readings?
What does one reading on one day tell you about the ecosystem?
Soil chemicals.
Reliability of the data
How reliable was your data?
Did you conduct at least three tests on each factor?
Did you collect multiple samples from your quadrat?
How could you make your existing data more reliable?
Accuracy of the data?
How accurate was your data?
How could you make your future data collection more accurate?

6. Conclusion:
(3 marks)
o summarise your findings.
o discuss how three abiotic factors can affect the organisms living in each ecosystem.
Think about the concept of TOLERANCE.
Describe the abiotic factors at work in this ecosystem and

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