Background

Since European settlement, 28 species of Australian mammals have become extinct, 20 of the marsupials which existed are found no where else in the world. In total, 126 species of plants and animals have vanished in just 200 years. In addition, 182 species are classified as endangered, and 201 are threatened, with many more only surviving in captivity or on off-shore islands.

The Mount Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre is a wildlife sanctuary situated on approximately 420 hectares adjacent to the You Yangs.  Native grasslands and grassy woodlands provide habitat for many native animal species that are threatened, critically endangered or extinct on mainland Australia.  Regularly viewed animals include rufous bettongs, common brown and eastern barred bandicoots, potoroos, brush tailed rock wallabies, kangaroos and eastern quolls.  Surrounded by a predator proof fence, native species are protected from introduced species and the habitat is continually managed to provide optimal conditions.

This program is conducted at Ecolinc and Mount Rothwell.  Your bus will need to arrive at Ecolinc at 2pm. After completing several activities, your bus will transport students to Mount Rothwell, and the program will conclude at approximately 7pm (time will vary depending on time of year).

Note:

• Maximum number of students for this program is 50 per day
• Term 3 & 4 program only
• Additional cost per student applies for entrance to Mount Rothwell
• Teachers need to be aware that if the temperature is above 35 degrees and/or the weather conditions are extreme, Mount Rothwell will not accept students on site. In this situation, students undertaking this program will participate in an alternative/like program on site at Ecolinc.

Learning Intentions

In this activity students will:

• Define ecosystem, habitat and adaptations
• Identify native Australian mammals
• Explore native Australian mammals and their habitat requirements, diet, structural features and behavioral adaptations.
• Explain interdependencies between organisms and their environment
• Examine and assess the quality of the grassy woodland habitat for native animals

Activities

At Ecolinc, students will undertake workshops, which involve researching the animals found at Mount Rothwell and their interrelationships. Students will participate in field work at Mount Rothwell which enables them to conduct a habitat assessment of the grassy woodland.  The day is outlined below:

Note:

^*Dusk times may change depending on time of year

Victorian Curriculum

• Ecosystems consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment; matter and energy flow through these systems. (VCSSU121 [1])

Achievement Standard:

• Students can explain that a grassland community consists of interdependent organisms, including native plants and animals, and abiotic factors that influence them.