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Wetlands: Resource Materials for Teachers
Why investigate wetlands?
One of the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems on earth, wetlands occur on almost all continents (Antarctica is the exception), in all climatic zones, on the coast and inland, and can be formed naturally or fashioned by people. They provide us with food, fibre and medicines, buffer us from storms and floods, and act as water filters. They provide windows on the past, habitat for a wide range of plants and animals, and are places of beauty and tranquillity.
Wetlands are also one of the most threatened natural systems in the world.
Curriculum applicability
These materials are designed for CSF 11 and are easily adaptable to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) and VCE Environmental Science, Geography, Biology and Outdoor and Environmental Studies.
On-line materials
Please note:
1. You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat software to download the materials
2. Section 3, Student Activities includes a large number of graphics for student masters and may take several minutes to download.
Section 1: About this Resource/Curriculum Map
Wetlands: Resource materials for teachers - Section1 (PDF - 335 Kb)
Section 2: Background information
An introductory guide to wetlands, their characteristics, use and protection.
1. What is a wetland and how are wetlands formed?
2. What are the characteristics of wetlands?
3. How do people use wetlands?
4. How have wetlands changed?
5. What are the issues for wetland managers?
6. How can wetlands be looked after?
Wetlands: Resource materials for teachers - Section 2 (PDF - 872 Kb)
Section 3: Student activities
Ten student activities including hands-on fieldwork (which could be adapted for any appropriate wetland location) and general classroom exercises which relate to Australia's and Victoria's Internationally significant Ramsar Sites and other wetlands.
Activity 1 ....Field investigation - Cherry Lake, Altona
Activity 2 ....Ecology - Cherry Lake, Altona
Activity 3 ....Change in the Altona area wetlands
Activity 4 ....Land use potential and conflict at Cherry Lake, Altona
Activity 5 ....Management strategies and issues - Cherry Lake, Altona
Activity 6 ....The importance of wetlands and wetland loss in Victoria
Activity 7 ....Australia's wetlands of international significance
Activity 8 ....Australia's national and international wetland commitments
Activity 9 ....Signatories to the Ramsar agreement
Activity 10 ..Does the Ramsar convention protect migratory birds?
Wetlands: Resource materials for teachers - Section 3 (PDF - 987 Kb)
Section 4: Glossary
A list of terms which relate to the structure and function of wetland areas. The terms appear in bold type throughout the resource.
Wetlands: Resource materials for teachers - Section 4 (PDF - 428 Kb)
Section 5: References
A list of useful references - teacher reference, field guides, organisations and internet sites for further wetland research.
Wetlands: Resource materials for teachers - Section 5 (PDF - 304 Kb)
