Biology Field Study Draft Part A
Bulimba Creek is a perennial stream located in the eastern and south-eastern areas of Brisbane (Committee, 2016). The creek covers an area of 122 square kilometres and runs through 20 of Brisbane’s southern and eastern suburbs as it makes its way towards the Brisbane River (Committee, 2016). As a result of the creek covering such a large area, Bulimba Creek is a very important part of Brisbane’s ecosystem and society.
Although Bulimba Creek is a part of Brisbane’s ecosystem as a whole, the creek itself is an ecosystem within an ecosystem. An ecosystem is an environment that contains living organisms and nonliving components (eSchoolToday , 2017). The Bulimba Creek is a freshwater ecosystem. In comparison to marine ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems contain a lower salt content (KidsDoEcology , 2017). A feature of freshwater ecosystems are riparian zones. Riparian zones are areas of land in the immediate vicinity of freshwater ecosystems (WaterNsw, 2017). These zones, as well as the freshwater ecosystem, can support diverse species of plants …show more content…
All wildlife in the zone is connected in some way. One interrelation is a food chain starting with fallen leaves from the native tree, the eucalyptus. These leaves are then eaten by many insects (EncyclopediaNature , 2017). The insects are then consumed by a carnivorous marsupial known as the brush-tailed phascogale who can also digest small birds (NSWGOVERNMENT , 2017 ). Finally, the marsupial is consumed by a fox or a large bird of prey such as an owl. Animals have also adapted to better suit the creek lifestyle. An example of this is the mallard duck developing webbed feet to be able to move through the water easier. Another example of an animal adapting to its environment is the common brushtail possum. The possum developed long fingernails which enabled it to scale the eucalyptus trees better (Wildcare Australia , 2017
Bulimba Creek is a perennial stream located in the eastern and south-eastern areas of Brisbane (Committee, 2016). The creek covers an area of 122 square kilometres and runs through 20 of Brisbane’s southern and eastern suburbs as it makes its way towards the Brisbane River (Committee, 2016). As a result of the creek covering such a large area, Bulimba Creek is a very important part of Brisbane’s ecosystem and society.
Although Bulimba Creek is a part of Brisbane’s ecosystem as a whole, the creek itself is an ecosystem within an ecosystem. An ecosystem is an environment that contains living organisms and nonliving components (eSchoolToday , 2017). The Bulimba Creek is a freshwater ecosystem. In comparison to marine ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems contain a lower salt content (KidsDoEcology , 2017). A feature of freshwater ecosystems are riparian zones. Riparian zones are areas of land in the immediate vicinity of freshwater ecosystems (WaterNsw, 2017). These zones, as well as the freshwater ecosystem, can support diverse species of plants …show more content…
All wildlife in the zone is connected in some way. One interrelation is a food chain starting with fallen leaves from the native tree, the eucalyptus. These leaves are then eaten by many insects (EncyclopediaNature , 2017). The insects are then consumed by a carnivorous marsupial known as the brush-tailed phascogale who can also digest small birds (NSWGOVERNMENT , 2017 ). Finally, the marsupial is consumed by a fox or a large bird of prey such as an owl. Animals have also adapted to better suit the creek lifestyle. An example of this is the mallard duck developing webbed feet to be able to move through the water easier. Another example of an animal adapting to its environment is the common brushtail possum. The possum developed long fingernails which enabled it to scale the eucalyptus trees better (Wildcare Australia , 2017