1. Dandenong Ranges National Park

2. The Map Key: Dandenong Ranges National Dandenong Ranges National Park Park Silvan Reservoir (dam) Silvan Reservoir (dam) Melbourne Melbourne Olinda creek Road Olinda creek Road Silvan Road Silvan Road the suburbs of Olinda the suburbs of Olinda Sassafras Sassafras Mount Dandenong Mount Dandenong N

3. 10% Atmosphere 75% Biosphere 20% Lithosphere 5% Hydrosphere The Most Dominate Sphere When I went to the Dandenong Ranges I noticed that the most dominate sphere is the Biosphere. That is because I saw trees and plants are all around the forest and it is covering almost 75% of the forest

4. The Four Spheres Working Together Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere (air) 15% Atmosphere 70% Biosphere 10% Lithosphere 5% Hydrosphere Nitrogen, carbon and trace elements in the soil that was resulted from a fire is taken by plants roots.Ground water that is in the soil contains nutrients that are taken up by tree roots. Water vapour from the leaves of trees Carbon holds the soil together, take up the ground water, and absorb damaging carbon dioxide

5. “Recycling of nutrients including carbon, oxygen and nitrogen occurs through natural processes in forest environment s”. Water drips Water filtrates Ground water Gets taken up by tree roots 1) Water (H2O) from rain gives the plant nutrition. 2)air moist. It allows better respiration. Evaporation as a result of photosynthesis. Leaves fall Nutrition from leaves and CO2 evaporation Leaves get decomposed.

6. Houses were built and that caused a damage to the environment because some trees had to be cleared before starting building. It also done another damage and that is animals had to leave their homes that were the trees. Farming caused the danger of trees to extinct and been replaced by other native plants. This regeneration also the cutting of trees caused more light to go into the forest which changed it’s usual form or cycle. This road might have previously been a home for plants and animals and now it’s replaced by different soil that has been filtered. Animals live in these trees which might end up being cut to use as timber and animals cant always find suitable place like the one they had before.

7. 20% Atmosphere 40% Biosphere 10% Lithosphere 30% Hydrosphere The most dominate spheres in here is the biosphere and the hydrosphere. the biosphere is more. I noticed that when we were on the fieldtrip that it was slippery and that’s because of the water (hydrosphere). It made the trees and leaves wet. I slipped, and as I was lifting myself up I pushed away leaves and twigs with my hand and noticed that further down there was dirt. That indicated that the lithosphere is covered by a thick layer of leaves and things.

8. People living in the around area can cause damage to the ferns when their pets are released. These paths are replacing trees. These trees might be cut to have enough space for more houses. Animals and trees are in danger of being extinct or replaced by other foreign trees and animals.

9. Changes in natural environment Fuel reduction Burns and bushfire disasters Impact on plants It burns little trees and flowers but it doesn't damage the forest. Trees and plant like nuts can open up in the heat and cause a re-growth in the forest so it’s actually good for the environment of the forest. The one and probably only problem is that it can get out of control. You can tell from the name that it is disasters. It can tern all the forest into big cracks of timber from big trees and into ash from the leaves and smaller trees. Impact on animals It can cause the animals to move into a different area that isn’t affected by the fire but they can always come back after the fire where food and trees are grown for them. It can kill a huge amount of animals and it is so fast that animals can’t really run away from it because they could die before they even start running. even birds can die from heat,smoke and ash in the air when flying away. Impact on humans Its good for humans because it reduces the chance of a bush fire when it becomes hot in the summer. They can be affected by the smoke and ash released into the air and their pets might get sick from it too. It is so disasters for humans living around the area. It can take many lives and it burns down houses. It basically doesn't leave anything behind.

10. The affect of fuel reduction strategies on the environment are good for the forest because it gives nutrition for the trees and causes the tree nuts to open up as a result of the heat and re-grows plants. However, it can get out of control and become more dangerous,

11. There should be more and higher fences and other things to protect the water within the dam. People living around this beautiful place should have no timber houses in case a fire spread. There should be more fire-fighters- stations.

12. My first impression of the dam is that how can it be one of the cleanest dams in the world when the fence around it is so low and it can easily be polluted by people visiting it. It is amazing how is used by us in Melbourne every day and it’s also worrying that it could get polluted if not taken care of well. If a bushfire spread it’s risky that the smoke and ash is going to pollute the water and so it is very important to find other ways to protect it more.

13. Advantages and disadvantages of the dam disadvanta ges advantage s Many animals died and trees had to be cut We can all have enough clean water The population is growing and so more water is needed. The drought wouldn’t be as tough on us The whole area has been used for water only It is famous for being one of the cleanest dams in the world. Trees and animals that were living there and not anymore have a risk at being extinct. It was built for about a million dollars so it didn’t cost a lot when if it was built now it would have costed lots more. It costs a lot of money and it could be damaged and it will need more money to repair it. It allows the use of water continuously even when there is no rain.

14. EVALUATION   Did you gather enough data in the field to complete your report thoroughly? Explain I did gather enough information and was paying attention and I thought it was enjoyable.   What did you enjoy most about the field trip? I enjoyed the whole excursion and I enjoyed the sky high look out the best.   What did you least enjoy about the fieldtrip?   I actually liked it all but it was a little bit could and that was probably the only negative thing abut it.   What did you like and dislike about writing this report? I thought this report was easier than the one we did before but that could be because it was my first one. I think that we needed at least one more lesson to make the report better.   What could you suggest to improve this activity? I think that it doesn’t need anything to make it better but I recon we need two Ms. KW’s to help us during the SAC :]

15. BIBLIOGRAPHY  Previous notes from the fieldtrip. Date: 26-28 /may/2008  Google and yahoo images Date: 27-28/may/2008  Photos that were taken on the field trip by Slavkah Popovska.