Biology Habitat Protection Assessment Task
Biology Habitat Protection Assessment Task
a written article (1000 words maximum) or a video (6 minutes) suitable for publishing online.
Introduction and Purpose of task:
Science as a Human Endeavour (SHE) explores the interaction between science and society. This interaction may occur in a number of ways. The focus of the interaction between science and society for this task is primarily:
Influence
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The acceptance and use of scientific knowledge can be influenced by social, economic, cultural, and ethical considerations.
Application and Limitation
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Scientific knowledge, understanding, and inquiry can enable scientists to develop solutions, make discoveries, design action for sustainability, evaluate economic, social, and environmental impacts, offer valid explanations, and make reliable predictions.
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Science informs public debate and is in turn influenced by public debate; at times, there may be complex, unanticipated variables or insufficient data that may limit possible conclusions.
Science has an important role in plant conservation. Plant conservation is an important aspect of maintaining diversity and it can be achieved in different ways. Botanic gardens play a role in plant conservation and preserving natural habitat is another way in which plant species can be protected.
In this task, you will:
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explore the key concepts of science as a human endeavour related to preserving plant species by either botanic gardens or the preservation of natural habitats
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undertake a search for information (articles, data, or other information) that you could use to support your discussion and justify your conclusions. Record the resources in a reference list
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choose the format of your work: scientific article, expert report, oral presentation, or discuss another alternative with your teacher.
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Choose from ONE of the alternatives below.
Option 1: Botanic Gardens Focus – Inland Wetland Ecosystem
Prepare a submission for funding for a new botanical garden to preserve plant species. The botanic garden referred to in your submission may relate to a single ecosystem such as a desert, Mallee scrub, wetlands or a combination of different ecosystems.
You will need to consider:
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the type of ecosystem(s) to be included in the new botanic garden. – Inland Wetland Ecosystem
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the biological concepts relevant to the type of ecosystem you have chosen and the types of plants that it could be used to preserve
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the evidence that will help to persuade your audience that funding for the garden is justified
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what format your submission will take – REPORT
Or
Option 2: Habitat preservation focus
Prepare a submission to the local council for the preservation of rare and endangered native plant such as a native orchid, a fungus that has special requirements, or a species of tree that has been found in an area that is due to be cleared for a new housing development.
You will need to consider:
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the type of species that is threatened by the housing development.
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relevant biology concepts and background information for the submission
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evidence based that will help to persuade the council that preservation of the endangered plant species is justified
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what format your submission will take
Part A: Research and Planning
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Complete a planning sheet for Option 1 or Option 2.
Part B: Completion of the submission
This part is completed after Part A has been submitted and feedback provided.
For Option 1: Your submission should include:
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an introduction that identifies the reason for your submission
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relevant biology concepts and background information
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evidence that will help to persuade your audience
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a conclusion and justification
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in-text referencing and reference list using appropriate referencing conventions
The rare and endangered species in your submission may be, for example, a very small plant such as the black tipped spider orchid. You will need to identify the type of plant.
For Option 2: Your submission should include:
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an introduction that identifies the type of species that is threatened by the housing development.
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relevant biology concepts and background information for the submission.
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evidence that will help to persuade the council that preservation of the endangered plant species is essential.
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a conclusion and justification.
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in-text referencing and reference list using appropriate referencing convention.
