Aims of the fieldtrip:

(refer also to the learning outcomes)

Themes: How do bushfires affect soil erosion? How have long-term geomorphic processes given us the landscape we see today? How have glacial and periglacial processes affected alpine landscapes in Australia?

We want to introduce you to a range of geomorphic processes which occur over a range of timescales.  However, we will concentrate on understanding the role of fire in the Australian landscape, particularly how it affects erosion processes.  We will examine this at two sites: the Snowy Mts (at Guthega) and the South Coast (at Belowra).  We will examine a range of factors which may affect fire severity, post-fire erosion, and recovery.  You will write a report on this topic utilising results gathered on the fieldtrip.

We will also teach you a number of field skills, some of which you have had some introduction to and some which will be new to you.  Some of these will be ones you missed out on in S1 this year and some are specific to this particular research problem.

The topics for the individual Oral Presentations and A4 Handouts are designed to give you background information on the topic, mostly within the first few days of the fieldtrip.  The field book is where you record your own observations of the sites you visit throughout the trip.  The research report will be your presentation of the results and analysis of the main question ‘How do bushfires affect soil erosion?’ in the format of a scientific report or presentation.

What is required to complete this unit satisfactorily?

Attendance: (fairly obvious) you have to turn up to complete the unit

Assignments: you must hand in/complete ALL the assessment tasks to complete the unit

Attitude: look, read, ask, discuss, debate, enjoy (it’s an amazing landscape to be in)

Quality: your assessment items will be graded according to your achievement of the learning outcomes.  We are looking for deep understanding as well as competence in particular skills of data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.

Honesty and sharing: you will often work in groups but all the assessment tasks are individual.  Group data must be shared freely but presentation, writing up and interpretation are to be the efforts of each individual. Macquarie's procedures relating to academic honesty and plagiarism can be found at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Required and recommended readings

There are no set texts or readings.  You must research the topic of your A4 handout and oral presentations using peer-reviewed scientific literature. On-line materials should also be peer-reviewed and fully references wherever possible.

You are asked to write your final report in the field.  Bring the papers that you have found so we can pool them to create a mobile working library.

Technology used and required

We will be working in a remote environment – both remote from help and remote from Macquarie Uni – and this imposes some limitations on the technology we can use (i.e. what we can carry).

We will use mostly very simple technology in the field.   What you should buy and bring: hand lens; camera; notebook; calculator; USB memory stick What we will provide that you must carry: augers, survey equipment, spades etc, tape measures, GPS, geological hammer, grain size card, safety equipment.

If you have a laptop computer you will find it useful for producing your report.  Some are available for loan from Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. If you need to borrow one of these laptops, please contact Paul and arrange for pickup before the field trip.  Remember that ArcGIS only runs on Windows. If you have a Mac you can (potentially) partition your hard drive and install windows (at cost) on one side (using bootcamp to switch between operating systems), enabling you to install ArcGIS.

For your pre-field A4 report you are expected to undertake research using on-line research databases and electronic journals and other resources. Internet will be limited or unavailable in the field.

Timetable and Itinerary

Pre-field meeting (date TBD): We will hold a field safety induction session before the fieldtrip. We have also continued to work on improving GIS skills. This includes a day of safety induction, orientation and mapping on campus before the fieldtrip and a separate software installation clinic for those who need it. The map data will help orient you to the field area and the GIS skills will be useful to you when you are doing your research project and report in the field.

Wed 2^nd Dec: Sydney to Kosciuszko (Guthega).

Thurs 3^rd Dec: Blue Lake – Kosciuszko loop walk, glacial geomorphology

Fri 4^th Dec: Guthega, impacts of burning on alpine vegetation and erosion

Sat 5^th Dec: Drive to Belowra via Bega; supermarket shop and refuel in Bega

6^th – 8^th Dec: Work on field projects in Belowra area (upper Tuross River).

Wed 9^th Dec: Drive to Kioloa; supermarket shop and refuel in Moruya

Thurs 10^th Dec: Around Kioloa/Murramarang, stabilization of foredunes

Fri 11^th Dec: Write up field report.

Sat 12^th Dec: Hand in report, return to Sydney

Notes:

Day 1 (2^nd Dec): Meet at Macquarie University 7am. Drive via M2/M7/M5 to Sutton Forest Rest Area, then to Lake George, Canberra, Numeralla, Cooma, Jindabyne, Guthega. We will be working on the way (oral presentations; note-taking) so you must be prepared for these activities.

Day 11 (12^th Dec): You must submit your field report by 9am, then clean up and check out by 10 am and you are free to return to Sydney at your own pace.

The main change is from New Zealand to Australia.  Consequently, some of the themes have also changed.  For example, we will look only briefly at glacial landscapes but we will concentrate on the impact of fire on erosion processes.

In light of events in S1, we will also spend time teaching key field skills not covered this year.

We have retained all the assessment tasks but the A4 handout/oral presentation has changed slightly to concentrate on key papers (and then expand on them).  The field report is on a defined topic, rather than one determined by each group.

COVID-safe plan:

The University has given permission for this fieldtrip to take place according to strict conditions to limit your exposure to COVID from other members of the group and members of the public, as well as to limit the potential for you to pass COVID to anyone else.

By participating in this fieldtrip you agree to abide by these conditions

General principles:  

1. travel in private cars with max 2 people (sanitiser provided); 

2. fieldwork in groups of 4 (max), sanitiser provided, equipment stays with group; 

3. accommodation according to work groups in self-catering apartments or camping; 

4. large group (teaching) settings – all work groups to be distanced from each other, wear masks; 

5. public situations – all members to wear masks, use sanitiser, maintain distancing and minimise contact and duration. Gloves to be worn where contact may be involved (e.g. refuelling).

COVID-Safe Emergency Response Plan

Scenario 1: a member of the field party develops COVID symptoms

Response: immediately isolate member from group. Contact local medical authorities for advice (which may include testing), and/or Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 081 (general information), and/or Healthdirect Hotline 1800 022 222 (registered nurse).  Terminate trip and prepare for return to Sydney – maintaining strict isolation and hygiene.

Scenario 2: a cluster is identified in the field area

Response: reduce (already minimal) contact with non-group individuals unless absolutely essential (emergency medical, food, fuel). Contact local police and/or Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 081 (general information) for travel advice and prepare to leave if advised.

Scenario 3: an area goes into lockdown, travel restrictions change. 

Response: contact local police and/or Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800 020 081 (general information) for travel advice and prepare to leave if advised. Observe all police directives. 

Emergency Health contacts:

From Guthega/Kosciuszko

Cooma Hospital, Bent St Cooma, 02 6455 3222  (62 km, 45 mins)

(Jindabyne Health One, 5 Thredbo Terrace, 02 6457 1221)

From Belowra

Bega, South East Regional Hospital, 4 Virginia Drive, 02 6491 9999 (91 km; 1:40 hrs)

From Kioloa

Milton Ulladulla Hospital, 104 Princes Highway, Milton, 02 4454 9100 (38 km; 35 mins)

Cost

Accommodation (paid to University before the trip): $200 – 300 (tbc)

Food – covered by you.  There are cooking facilities available (and no opportunity to eat out).

Transport – private vehicle (2 people per car): we’ll organise car pooling and you can share the costs

Kosci NP entry – payable on entry to Park if you don’t have a pass already ($17 per vehicle per day x 3 days).

Accommodation

We have booked all accommodation for the fieldtrip.  You will be asked to pay the final amount (once confirmed) to the University (online).

We have exclusive use of the venues, which is part of the COVID-safe strategy approved by the University.  Guthega and Belowra are quite isolated.  You will not be able to eat out or go shopping at any of these locations (as part of the University-approved conditions).

Guthega (3 nights) – Australian Ski Club Guthega Lodge.  Twin rooms.  Shared kitchen. 

Belowra (4 nights) – Camping. You will need a tent, sleeping bag, some cooking gear (more detail later).  There will be a pit toilet. No showers.  We will be able to swim in the river.

Kioloa (3 nights) – Kioloa Beach Holiday Cabins. 3 people per cabin. Own kitchen, shared bathrooms.

Personal field equipment required

Each student should bring the following aids/comforts on each field trip:

• sturdy shoes (‘no visible skin below the ankles’)- sandals, thongs, or high heels are for après-field activities
• an extra pair of shoes for getting wet in rivers
• water bottle (full, of course!)
• wet weather gear – a waterproof jacket with a hood and waterproof pants
• hat (with a wide brim, front and back) and sunscreen
• field note book and pencils (see note below)
• calculator, hand lens
• camera; binoculars (if you have them)
• your lunch, drinks & snacks for the day - we do not stop at shops!!!
• a back pack to store it all in
• any medications you may need.  We cannot provide you ANY medications (even paracetomol).  
• Camping equipment (more later)

Other personal items

cooking/eating – we will have cooking facilities at Guthega and Kioloa. You will need cooking equipment while camping.

towel/toiletries – bring these.  

Fieldwork fundamentals

Weather: We never cancel fieldtrips for bad weather!  You must be prepared to work in the rain with the appropriate clothing. Likewise you should always protect yourself from the sun and dehydration.

Transport: Because of COVID restrictions, transport must be by private vehicle, each carrying a maximum of 2 people.  We will arrange car-pooling for those without cars and you should then arrange to share costs.

Cost: You must cover your own food costs and pay for your transport. Prior to the fieldtrip you will be advised of the estimated cost for accommodation.  You must pay this amount before leaving on the fieldtrip.  

Accommodation: Field accommodation is in cabins, twin hotel-type rooms and camping with communal kitchens, dining, bathroom/toilet and work areas.  You should bring a towel and bedding for camping. 

Safety in the field

Any student who has a disability or health condition that may limit their participation in field work or that could result in a medical emergency in the field should notify the unit convenor immediately.  As a general guide to the level of physical fitness required, you should be able to walk 10 km over open undulating terrain in 2 hours.  You must accept the fieldtrip invitation in Field Friendly before the fieldtrip and complete your contact and personal details there.

Each student must ensure his/her own safety at all times during field excursions.

•Do not undertake fieldwork alone.  You must work with at least one other person.

•You must be adequately equipped to undertake fieldwork, including wet weather clothing, warm clothing, hat and sun protection, protective footwear (closed toe boots or shoes).

•You should bring a first aid kit if you have one (basic kits will be provided to each group) and any medications you require.

•Do not undertake any activity you feel to be unsafe.  Discuss with the fieldtrip leader any concerns you have about particular tasks.

•Be watchful of the safety of your fellow students, if they become separated from the group or are at some other risk.  Tell the fieldtrip leader as soon as you notice a potentially dangerous situation.

Accommodation and contacts 

Satellite phone (held by Paul Hesse): 

Guthega: Guthega Lodge, Australian Ski Club (no phone)

Belowra: ‘Belowra’, Belowra Rd via Nerrigundah, 2545 (landowner phone number available from Paul Hesse or Sarah Collison in emergencies only; otherwise or instead, use satellite phone).

Kioloa Beach Holiday Cabins, 35 Scerri Dr, Kioloa, 2539.  02 4457 1095, 0410 414230,