Coursework Sand Dune Ecosystem

Introduction In this section you should have the following information:~ The main enquiry question and sub questions. The location of the area of study including annotated map of South Beach. An explanation of how the study links to your GCSE course and a mind map to show the linkages. A description of the primary and secondary data that will be used in the enquiry and how it was collected. You could include some annotated photographs here as well.

What is a Sand Dune Ecosystem? You need to have some theory about what you would expect to find in a typical sand dune ecosystem. You should have your hand drawn graphs showing:~ –Slope and soil colour –Wind speed –% moisture –Plant species and coverage Analysis of your graphs ie:~ 1.Describe what your graph is showing 2.Try to explain why this pattern has developed using the theory to help. e.g. Graph 3 shows that the % soil moisture increases the further from the shore you go. I think this is because the soil contains more humus and therefore can retain more moisture. Close to the shore there is a lot of sand which is quick draining and so the moisture level will be low. Futher inland the soil is a dark brown colour which means that more humus is present and therefore the water does not drain away so quickly. You should have something like this for each of the following:~ Soil colour, angle of slope (how does it compare to your typical transect), % soil moisture, wind speed, % bare sand, number of plant species.

How does man impact upon this ecosystem? You should have your computer drawn environmental survey graphs to hand. You need to describe what the graphs are showing you about each factor i.e. litter, trampling etc. You then need to explain why you think these patterns have occurred e.g. there is more of a problem with litter at site 2 than at site 3, I think this is because the access point to the beach is at site 2 so most litter is here because most people pass through or choose to sit close to this point especially those who are staying at Kiln Park. Site three is the furthest point along the beach it is also furthest away from the services such as the toilets and café and therefore fewer people are likely to visit this area and there is less of a problem with litter.

Does the use of this ecosystem lead to any conflict? You need to create hand drawn and/or computerised graphs to show the result of the questionnaire. You can choose from pictograms, pie charts, histograms (bar graphs) or divided bar graphs. You must use at least one of each of the above. Describe what the graphs are showing you about the way that the area is used and explain how this may have led to conflict between the different users of the ecosystem

Conclusion Summarise the main findings for each of the sub questions – i.e. a short paragraph for each sub question. Come up with an over all answer to the main enquiry question.

Evaluation What would you do differently if you were to undertake this study again? How could you improve it? Which parts did you find easy/difficult and what did you do to overcome any difficulties?