Student Worksheet

Thought-starter: What do we need for a salt marsh assessment?

This worksheet has been broken down into six parts that you can work through at your own pace. Each section has an introductory inquiry question in its title to tune you into the content.

Part A. How can we use digital technology to conduct a site assessment for MangroveWatch?

In this section you will:

discuss a sample satellite image to review functions of Google MyMaps
use Google MyMaps to create a map to record MangroveWatch site/s
describe examples of geospatial technologies used for recording data about Australia’s mangroves

1. In preparation for conducting MangroveWatch research, maps are created that include the name of river or shoreline, nearby reserves, parks, streets as well as a site description and the latitude and longitude.

Using Google MyMaps you can add text, icons, photos and video.

You will now create your own site map. Follow these steps:

Use your Google Account to log in to Google MyMaps https://www.google.com/mymaps
On your computer, sign in to MyMaps.
Click Create a new map.
Choose a site/s that provides good access and vantage points to get the best views.
Go to the top left and click "Untitled map."
Give your map a title and add a description in the dialogue box.
To show your transect and quadrat sites click Add marker.
Select a layer and click where to put the place. A layer can have photos, 2,000 lines, shapes, or places.
Give your study site a name.
Click Save.
Create a map of your MangroveWatch study site/s. Add a border, north, key, title and scale. Take a paper copy of your map when you head out to collect data for MangroveWatch.

2. There are a range of scientific research organisations who collect and communicate information about mangrove and salt marsh ecosystems online. Having an understanding of what these organisations do and what data they collect will be useful if you are planning your own research. Investigate and describe what the following organisations do (what is their purpose?) and how they use geospatial technologies in their work: TERN - a mangrove monitoring system, Atlas of Living Australia and MangroveWatch.

TERN

Purpose
Use of geospatial technologies

Atlas of Living Australia

Purpose
Use of geospatial technologies

MangroveWatch

Purpose
Use of geospatial technologies

Part B. What planning do we need to keep everyone safe during MangroveWatch research?

In this section you will:

discuss examples of anticipated risks during fieldwork
complete the sample risk assessment for MangroveWatch fieldwork
identify ethical practices applicable to MangroveWatch fieldwork
complete a list of ethical considerations and behaviours

1. Risk Assessment - Before conducting any fieldwork you need to think about the challenges and risks to researchers that might be related to the fieldwork. Take a look at the table below with some examples of hazards, impacts and control measures already listed. Some categories of risks have been provided for you; add some relevant hazard, possible impacts and control measures (things you can do to reduce risk) to each row. There may be more than one item for each hazard / risk area.

Location:

Hazard / Risk Areas	Impacts / Risk Identification	Elimination or Control Measures
PEOPLE - special needs	Risk of: Pre-existing medical condition resulting in serious medical emergency e.g. asthma	Teachers and students maintain school and/or personal medical action plans
EQUIPMENT - resources that may impact e.g. footwear or equipment that may cause injury (i.e. hammers and nails, shovels, etc.)	Risk of: accident of feet being cut on oysters	Students bring protective footwear
TRANSPORT - factors that may affect the type of transport you can use	Risk of: running out of fuel	Make sure to bring extra fuel
ENVIRONMENT - factors that impact on the activity e.g. sunburn	Risk of: sunburn or heat related illness	Students bring sunscreen and water bottles
WILDLIFE- animals that may impact on the activity or people	Risk of:
PLANTS - plants that may be harmful (i.e. stinging trees)	Risk of:
OTHER	Risk of:

2. Equipment: Now list some of the items you need to take for your personal safety.

3. Ethical Considerations: When preparing for your MangroveWatch fieldwork you need to consider how you will minimise damage to the environment.

Add examples of ethical practices to lessen damage to the environment before, during and after the fieldwork

Before the fieldwork: Justify any potential negative impacts of the research upon the environment. Suggest which stakeholders you may need to inform or engage with.

Justify any potential negative impacts of the research upon the environment.

Impacts:
Stakeholders:

During the fieldwork: Fieldwork should be non-destructive. Explain what measures you will take to prevent damage.

After the fieldwork: Think about who the stakeholders are and how you might communicate with them once your research is complete. What might you need to tell them?

Part C. What do we need for a MangroveWatch rapid assessment of a salt marsh?

In this section you will:

plan for qualitative data collection
describe the purpose of the MangroveWatch rapid assessment
research and summarise the properties of two key salt marsh plants.

Background information: Qualitative research is a scientific method of observation to produce non-numerical data. The aim of qualitative research is to gain an understanding of the underlying issues of the research topic. In this case, qualitative data can be used to answer questions about the threats and values of salt marshes - having this overall view allows researchers to select sites or features to focus in on for more detailed data. Conducting a study by taking photographs of your site means you will get a snapshot of the salt marsh ecosystem you are studying.

1. Prepare for a salt marsh rapid assessment by researching and describing two species.

Image 1.

Image 2.

Part D. What skills do we need for a salt marsh rapid assessment?

In this section you will:

practise qualitative data collection
access salt marsh rapid assessment instructions
practise the rapid assessment requirements to record location data
practise the rapid assessment of values and threats to salt marshes based on secondary sources from a sample salt marsh including:
photographs, site map and relevant descriptions.

The instructions contain an assessment code of 0-5 for each observation.

When you see a satellite image in Table 2 go to the map to zoom in to get more detail.

Complete the following tasks:

1. Click on the link to access the map to record data in Table 2 Minnamurra’s salt marsh

2. Identify the shoreline of river, eg. Endeavour River:

3. Name of the site, eg James Holt Reserve:

4. Describe the site, eg southern bank near boat shed:

5. Latitude:

6. Longitude:

Use this document to conduct your assessment: Practise Rapid Assessment

Use this document to help you understand threats and values: Instructions For Defining Salt Marsh Values and Threats

Part E. How can we use the MangroveWatch field guide in our forest assessment?

In this section you will:

plan for quantitative data collection
describe the MangroveWatch long plot transect method
practise using the MangroveWatch field guide to mangrove trees

Background information: Quantitative research is aimed at getting information about quantities, and therefore numbers. Quantitative data requires measurements to address specific questions. One of the methods that MangroveWatch researchers use to collect measurable, numerical data is through long plot transects of 30m-50m long and two metres wide. Another method used by MangroveWatch is a video shoreline assessment method; this is a standardised method to assess shoreline mangrove condition and change over time.

Even though they are about the collection of numerical data, both methods require the identification of mangrove species. This will be your first task.

MangroveWatch guide to mangrove species

Practise using the MangroveWatch guide above to identify and describe the mangroves below. Look closely at the details of each plant:

Plant 1.

Description:

Scientific name:

Common name:

MangroveWatch code:

Plant 2.

Description:

Scientific name:

Common name:

MangroveWatch code:

Part F. What skills do we need for a mangrove forest assessment?

In this section you will:

plan quantitative data collection to assess mangrove forests
practise measuring forest structure and biomass
measure girth and tree height
convert girth to diameter
record data into a table

Background information: A MangroveWatch forest assessment requires collecting quantitative data about forest features, including measurements of forest structure (e.g. the height and girth of trees and shrubs) and biomass (organic material).

Mangrove species come in a range of sizes and forms, some with clear trunks and others with divided trunks. This can make it tricky to know where to measure the girth of a tree. The image below shows the ways that MangroveWatch measure the girth (circumference) of different types of mangrove species. You will need a tape measure for collecting data on girth.

(Image also available here)

It is also important to measure the height of the trees and shrubs you are observing. The image below shows the MangroveWatch guide to measuring the height of mangroves. You will need a clinometer and tape measure for collecting data on tree height.

Now complete the following tasks:

Practise measuring the girth (circumference) of trees in the school grounds or nearby park using a tape measure.
Use the girth measurement to calculate the diameter of the trees.
Use a clinometer and tape measure to calculate the height of each tree.
Record your data in the table below:

MangroveWatch - Planning a MangroveWatch Investigation

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