1. Name: __________________________
Understanding the Coastal Environment
Fieldwork Book
The Field Trip Booklet
The field book is designed to help you collect information on coastal processes. It is a
record of the things you see, the processes you examine and the human impacts
evident on the day.
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2. Precise fieldwork makes the future recall of the information easier and aids in your
understanding. Be sure to answer all questions thoughtfully and to conduct all of your
fieldwork efficiently.
Itinerary
8:30am Depart Coburg Senior High School
10:00am Arrive at Point Lonsdale
10:15am Morning Tea and Fieldwork
10:45am Depart Point Lonsdale
11:00am Arrive at Collendina
11:30am Depart Collendina
11:45am Arrive Ocean Grove
12:00pm Lunch and Fieldwork
12:45pm Depart Ocean Grove
1:00pm Arrive Barwon Heads
1:30pm Complete fieldwork and some free time (maybe)
2:00pm Depart Barwon Heads
3:30pm Arrive at Coburg Senior High School
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4. Stop 1 - Point Lonsdale
Describe the location of Point Lonsdale.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________
What direction does the prevailing wind blow from?
__________________________________________________________
From what direction do waves predominantly enter the system?
__________________________________________________________
Wave Characteristics
Estimate the wave height: ______________________________________
Estimate the wave length: ______________________________________
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5. Wave Period: ________________________________________________
Type of Wave -
Natural Processes
List the natural processes you can see occurring at Point Lonsdale.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________
Place a light item onto the beach face (between the high and low tide marks) such as a
small stick or leaf. Track the item and sketch its progress in the space below. Include the
processes of swash, backwash and longshore drift. Also include the wave and wind
directions on your diagram, as well as the distance the item travels. (include a north
arrow on your sketch)
Natural Landforms
List the natural landforms you can see at Point Lonsdale.
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7. Stop 2 - Collendina
Describe the location of Collendina Beach.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________
What direction does the prevailing wind blow from?
__________________________________________________________
From what direction do waves predominantly enter the system?
__________________________________________________________
Wave Characteristics
Estimate the wave height: ______________________________________
Estimate the wave length: ______________________________________
Wave Period: ________________________________________________
Type of Wave -
Natural Processes
List the natural processes you can see occurring at Collendina.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________
Collendina has an excellent example of a dune system. Draw a beach profile of the
dune system, from the beach to the carpark. Remember to include labeling of the dunes,
vegetation, approximate heights etc. Also label the direction of the wind.
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8. Remember to take a photo of these landforms and processes
Human Impacts
Complete the table below, outlining the human impacts you observe at Collendina.
Human Impact Describe the Impact this has on the
beach
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9. Coastal Management
List the management techniques undertaken on the beach to reduce human impact.
(Remember to take a photo of these if you have a camera)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________
Stop 3 – Ocean Grove
Describe the location of Ocean Grove.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________
What direction does the prevailing wind blow from?
__________________________________________________________
From what direction do waves predominantly enter the system?
__________________________________________________________
Wave Characteristics
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10. Estimate the wave height: ______________________________________
Estimate the wave length: ______________________________________
Wave Period: ________________________________________________
Type of Wave -
Natural Processes
List the natural processes you can see occurring at Ocean Grove.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________
Human Impacts
Complete the table below, outlining the human impacts you observe at Ocean Grove.
Remember to take a photo of each one.
Human Impact Describe the Impact this has on the
beach
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11. Coastal Management
List the management techniques undertaken on the beach to reduce human impact.
(Remember to take a photo of these if you have a camera)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________
Stop 4 – Barwon Heads
Describe the location of Barwon Heads.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________
Wave Characteristics
Estimate the wave height: ______________________________________
Estimate the wave length: ______________________________________
Wave Period: ________________________________________________
Type of Wave -
Natural Processes and Erosional Landforms
List the natural processes you can see occurring at Barwon Heads. (Include detail and
photos on the differing types of erosion)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________
List the erosional landforms that you observe at Barwon Heads.
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13. Human Impacts
Complete the table below, outlining the human impacts you observe at Barwon Heads.
Remember to take a photo of each one.
Human Impact Describe the Impact this has on the
beach
Coastal Management
List the management techniques undertaken on the beach to reduce human impact.
(Remember to take a photo of these if you have a camera)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________
A Coastal Issue: Barwon Heads Bridge
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14. Take notes on the issue associated with the Barwon Heads Bridge. You should consider
the views of the differing stakeholders. You should also take photos of the bridge and
protest signs.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
__________
__________________________________________________________
Reflection
1. What did you enjoy about this coastal field trip?
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15. 2. What did you learn today?
3. How could the field trip be improved?
4. Any other comments....
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