Year 11 Geography Fieldwork: Blackheath

On Thursday 25 February 2021, Year 11 Geography students embarked on their compulsory fieldwork excursion to Kings Tableland and Blackheath. Fieldwork is a vital component of Year 11 Geography as it equips students with the skills to conduct primary fieldwork for their upcoming Senior Geography Project as well as enabling them to have real-life examples of the Blue Mountains case study.

The focus of this excursion was to undertake fieldwork data testing on abiotic conditions of the Blue Mountains within each vegetation zone. Students investigate how each ecosystem with the Blue Mountains region contains a unique biotic response and the vulnerability of each ecosystem to the effects of climate change and bushfires.

Students firstly completed fieldwork testing at Lincoln’s Rock a sedimentary rock cap which demonstrates the relationship between harsh abiotic conditions and biotic responses. As students completed the Grand Canyon walk, they conducted lithospheric, hydrospheric and biospheric testing at each vegetation zone. This is heavily linked to their upcoming assessment task which challenges students to evaluate the sensitivity of the Blue Mountains to natural and human induced change.

I would also like to extend a huge thank you to Jocelyn Jabbour-Perez for attending the excursion as an additional staff member and for capturing the day with these incredible photographs.

– Danielle Rodrigues
Acting Head of Department – Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE)