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Human Impact Exploration Introduction

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Human Impact Exploration Introduction

Read the investigation brief and examine the creek-monitoring results. Use evidence to explain how people can affect ecosystems, and how management can reduce harm.

A creek under pressure

Wattle Creek flows through a farming district before reaching a coastal wetland. A new housing estate has been built near its upper reaches. During construction, some soil washed into the creek after heavy rain. Run-off from nearby paddocks can also carry fertiliser into the water. Downstream, volunteers have planted native reeds along the bank, and a council team has removed rubbish and fenced off a small wetland area. These actions may help wildlife, but their success needs to be checked using evidence.

1.From the investigation brief, identify one human activity that may harm the creek and one action intended to help it. Explain the likely effect of each on the ecosystem.

2.Why can muddy run-off be harmful to aquatic organisms?

It can make water cloudy and smother habitats or organisms.
It always adds oxygen to the water.
It prevents rain from entering the creek.
It turns all native plants into weeds.

3.(a) The growth of towns and cities is called .

4.(b) Harmful substances entering air, water or soil are a form of .

5.(c) The destruction or removal of an organism’s living place is .

6.(d) Protecting and managing nature is called .

Monitoring the creek

A student team sampled the creek at two sites on the same day. The upstream site is above the housing estate. The downstream site is below the estate and near the wetland. The results below record observations from that single sampling day at those two sites.

Measure

Upstream

Downstream

Water clarity (0 = very cloudy; 5 = very clear)

Aquatic invertebrate groups observed

Litter items counted along 10 m of bank

7.Which site had clearer water, and what evidence from the table supports your answer?

8.The downstream site had fewer invertebrate groups and more litter. Can the team conclude that the housing estate caused both differences? Explain why or why not.

9.Human impacts on ecosystems are always harmful, so positive environmental actions cannot make a difference.

TrueFalse

10.Suggest a scientific question the team could investigate about Wattle Creek. Name one factor they could measure and one factor they should keep consistent when collecting data.

11.Explain one way excess fertiliser entering a creek could affect organisms beyond the creek itself.

12.Recommend one practical action for the catchment and explain how the team could check whether it is helping.