Ecosystems at Risk – Comparative Study – Part 3 of 4 – The Great Barrier Reef & Stockton Bight Coastal Sand Dunes

Introduction

Welcome back to your four-part online comparative study for the HSC Geography topic of Ecosystems at Risk

This is the third of the four parts. In the first half of the comparative study, you were introduced to the case studies of the Great Barrier Reef and Stockton Bight coastal sand dunes individually. In the second half of the study, you will now compare and contrast the two case studies through more in-depht research and analysis.

Upon the completion of the online comparative study, you should have a strong understanding and application of geographical issues with relation to ecosystems at risk, as well as two case studies to support your knowledge.

Good luck, and have fun.

Task

You have been selected to become a geography expert. As a part of your training, you have been asked to complete a comparative study of two ecosystems at risk.

You have previously completed some research on the case studies of the Great Barrier Reef and Stockton Bight coastal sand dunes. However, these case studies were researched indivudally; and your research only currently forms a basic foundation that requires further research and analysis.

You are now required to research, analyse and evaluate these two case studies side-by-side through comparing and contrasting.

Process

Open your Word Document. You will need it to complete most of the following activities.

Watch the following video.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8WXiEBf4Oc align:center]

The crown of thorn starfish is a natural threat which places the Great Barrier Reef at risk.

Describe what are crown of thorn starfish.
Evaluate how they are impacting on the Great Barrier Reef, and why.
Evaluate the current methods for minimising the impact of the crown of thorn starfish.
Recommend alternative methods for dealing with this threat.

Use the following link. On the left of the page is a table of contents. Read the information under "2.5 Adjustments to Natural Stress".

http://www.mrstevennewman.com/geo/GBR/index.html

Analyse the other natural threats that are posed to the Great Barrier Reef.

Use the following link. On the left of the page is a table of contents. Read the information under "2.5 Adjustments to Natural Stress".

http://www.mrstevennewman.com/geo/Stockton/Home/index.html

Describe the natural threats that place the Stockton Bight coastal sand dunes at risk.
Evaluate how these natural threats are impacting on the Stockton Bight coastal sand dunes.

Compare and contrast the natural threats of the Great Barrier Reef and the Stockton Bight coastal sand dunes, and the impact of those threats.
Evaluate the similarities and/or differences between the natural threats of the two ecosystems at risk and whether their geographical location as an impact on it.