FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL
OCR ‘A’ A LEVEL BIOLOGY: BIODIVERSITY, ECOSYSTEMS AND PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES – 5 DAYS
ORIELTON FIELD CENTRE
EXAMPLAR COURSE PROGRAMME
OCR ‘A’ – 5 DAYS
A LEVEL BIOLOGY: BIODIVERSITY, ECOSYSTEMS AND PRACTICAL
ACTIVITIES
DAY
MORNING
AFTERNOON
EVENING
1
Arrive lunchtime*
Room Allocation.
Introduction to the Centre.
Waterproof/welly hire.
Outline of course.
PRACTICAL BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEMS
Students will explore the varied terrestrial
and aquatic habitats of the 120 acre Orielton
Estate. They will make qualitative ecological
observations and consider how to design
quantitative investigations. Using local
examples the value of long-term ecological
studies will be discussed.
This session will provide a deeper
understanding of ecology, an excellent
foundation for the rest of the course.
From the deeper ecological understanding
developed in this session objectives are set
for the whole course which will:
•
make links to the OCR specification
•
set personal learning goals
•
consider wider environmental issues
•
consider the skills needed by working
ecologists
CLASSIFICATION AND
EVOLUTION
Using local examples
students will:
• consider biological
classification (using
the binomial system of
naming species)
• identify the features
used to classify
organisms into five
kingdoms
• consider the
relationship between
classification and
phylogeny
(* packed lunch not normally
provided on day one)
2
FIELD SITE: Orielton Estate
ROCKY SHORE ECOLOGY - BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT AND SAMPLING
Practical Activity Group 3: Sampling. Students will investigate a rocky shore
ecosystem using random and non-random sampling techniques: quadrat sampling in
different areas and a transect up or down the shore. They will practise identifying and
classifying rocky shore species and will consider variations within and between
species. They will consider how those species are adapted anatomically,
physiologically and behaviourally. Data analysis can include calculations of species
richness, evenness and Simpson’s index of diversity. Factors affecting rocky shore
biodiversity will be considered. The importance of baseline monitoring will be
discussed in relation to the effect of external factors e.g. oil pollution, on rocky shore
biodiversity.
Practical Activity Group 10: Data Logging. Transect data can be collected and collated
using iPads and a Field Network System (portable Field WiFi). Data from local
permanent light and temperature dataloggers will be analysed.
Choose from:
 Exam Skills Workshop
 Data Analysis &
Maths Workshop
 Advanced Field
Surveying
 Maintaining
Biodiversity and
Resources
 Practical Activity
Group 6:
Chromatography
FIELD SITE(S): Sawdern Point, West Angle, Manorbier
3
SAND DUNE ECOLOGY - SUCCESSION AND VARIATION
Practical Activity Group 3: Sampling. Students will use field sampling techniques to
determine the distribution and abundance of plants across a sand dune ecosystem at
Broomhill Burrows SSSI (a stunning site within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park).
Choose from:
 Exam Skills Workshop
 Data Analysis &
Maths Workshop
They will explore how the ecosystem is maintained and how it dynamically changes
over time under the influence of abiotic and biotic factors. Students will learn about
primary succession (pioneer species to climax communities), deflected succession and
recycling within ecosystems. Xerophytic and halophytic adaptations of plants in a dry,
saline environment will be considered. Data analysis can include Spearman’s rank
correlation coefficient, student’s t-test and graphical representation.
4
FIELD SITE: Broomhill Burrows (Freshwater West)
FRESHWATER/ROCKY SHORE ECOLOGY
BIODIVERSITY, BIOMASS AND TROPHIC
LEVELS
Students will investigate and evaluate ways
of estimating the total amount of energy
being fixed through photosynthesis within
an ecosystem. They will collect numerical
data from either a marine or freshwater
habitat, enabling them to quantify the
efficiency of transfer of biomass and energy
between trophic levels.
5
POPULATIONS: DISTRIBUTION,
ABUNDANCE AND CHI-SQUARED
Students will design a sampling
strategy to investigate the distribution
and abundance of a named species or
group of species in a freshwater or
marine habitat (e.g. topshell
association with microhabitats). A chisquared test will be applied to the
data. Students will be able to justify
why this statistical test is appropriate.
Limiting factors, which may determine
the population carrying capacity of this
species, will be considered (including
predator-prey relationships and intra
and inter-specific competition).
FIELD SITE(S): Orielton Estate (freshwater) or Sawdern Point (rocky shore)
FRESHWATER/ ROCKY SHORE/
Depart - lunchtime
TERRESTRIAL ECOLOGY
Practical Activity Group 3 & 12:
Investigation
Students will carry out their planned
individual investigation. They will use the
most appropriate equipment and methods
and control key variables. They will work
safely, assessing the risks of working in the
selected habitat and making adjustments if
necessary.



Advanced Field
Surveying
Ecosystem
Management and
Conservation
Practical Activity
Group 11: Animal
Responses
Practical Activity Group 3
& 12: Planning
Students will choose and
plan an individual
ecological investigation to
carry out the following
day, using the knowledge
of sampling (PAG 3) and
the research skills (PAG
12) they have acquired
during the course. A range
of habitats can be used for
this investigation.
FIELD SITES: Various
Please note: to ensure
safe and quality learning
experiences for students,
the timetable may alter
depending on weather
conditions and tides
FIELD SITES: Various
NOTE: Teachers will have the opportunity to assess students for the Practical Endorsement against Common Practical
Assessment Criteria across a number of Practical Activity Groups throughout this course.
We can of course be flexible and re-arrange these sessions to match your own requirements.
The teaching days at Orielton usually run from 9.15am to 6pm, with an evening session from 7pm to 8.15pm. Occasionally
there may be earlier starts due to tides with consequent longer breaks or earlier finish times. Travel times during the day to
reach our field sites vary but are mostly under 20 minutes easy drive or are within walking distance from the Centre.
ON DAYS TWO AND THREE PLEASE SELECT FROM THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS FOR THE EVENING SESSION:
Exam Skills Workshop
We recognise that students often struggle with exam questions on ecological topics. This is partly because the find it difficult to
simply restate the facts they have learnt in class. Often students do not successfully transfer their knowledge of one habitat (e.g.
woodland) to a question set in a different habitat. Therefore they do not score highly even though they actually understand
ecology well. This workshop will help students to identify the key ecological principles and successfully apply them to questions
set in a variety of different contexts.
Data Analysis and Maths Workshop
Maths skills now make up 10% of the total marks in Biology A-level exams. The standard sessions in the programme will include
up to three statistical tests (Spearman’s rank, student’s t-test and chi-squared), standard deviation and some other graphical
and mathematical analysis. This session is an opportunity for students to spend more time getting to grips with the basics, using
real data sets to practise the techniques they find difficult. The focus can be on one of the following three areas:
a) Statistics. Why is statistics important for biologists? How do you choose the right statistical test and design an investigation
so that you can collect data, which can be analysed successfully? How do you interpret the results of the statistical test and link
this to the hypothesis being tested?
b) Data handling. In ecological investigations students can collect a large amount of data. It is important that they feel
confident in identifying trends and patterns and in applying graphical and mathematical treatment to this data (e.g. mean,
median, mode, standard deviation). Students will have the opportunity to practice handling real data sets relating to the
habitats they are studying during the course. This will help them answer exam questions which include data handling.
c) Mixture of statistics and data handling. Most suitable for more confident students who are able to work independently or in
small groups. This will give practice in a number of skills. You can select in advance the areas you want to focus on.
Advanced Field Surveying
This is a great opportunity for students to experience an additional practical technique outside the scope of the standard course.
You can choose from estimating population size using the Lincoln index moth trapping and identification, small mammal
sampling, bat detecting and sampling and observation of freshwater plankton using microscopes.
Maintaining Biodiversity and Resources
In this classroom based session some of the ecological, economic, social, ethical and aesthetic reasons for conserving of
biological resources and for maintaining biodiversity will be considered. Some of the factors that can affect biodiversity will
explored using local case studies– e.g. excess bait digging on local mud-flats and the impact of climate change on rocky shore
snail species.
Ecosystem Management and Conservation
Orielton is located just outside the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The Pembrokeshire offshore island of Skomer was
identified as a Marine Nature Reserve in 1990 and has just been re-designated as a Marine Conservation Zone. In this session
students will use local marine examples to explore the conflicts between conservation and human needs - such as fishing. They
will consider how local fish stocks might be managed in a sustainable way. They will compare the success of in-situ conservation
methods such as marine conservation zones and ex-situ conservation in marine aquaria. The conservation of keystone species
such as sea birds and their interdependence with other species will also be studied.
Practical Activity Group 6: Chromatography
In this session students will carry out a chromatography investigation to separate out pigments from either the fronds of rocky
shore algae or from the leaves of a terrestrial plant (collected in an earlier session). The role of accessory pigments in
photosynthesis will be considered and related to adaptations to low light levels.
Practical Activity Group 11: Animal Responses
In this session students will investigate the behavioural responses of an invertebrate (either rocky shore snail species or
terrestrial or freshwater invertebrates) to different abiotic factors such as water, light and temperature by designing simple
choice experiments in the laboratory or the field. The results will be linked to the adaptations of these species to their
environments discussed in previous sessions. Students will consider the safe and ethical use of organisms, ensuring optimal
survival conditions are maintained before, during and after the experiments.
FURTHER OPTIONS:
Orielton Field Centre can also offer the following sessions, which can be studied in addition to or instead of the above sessions:
Conservation Walk Stackpole Quay to Bosherton Lily Ponds (whole or half day)
Students will walk part of the outstanding Pembrokeshire Coast Path. They will study conservation management issues across a
range of habitats including limestone grassland, sand dunes and oligotropic lakes. The walk is within Stackpole NNR, which is
managed by the National Trust and is in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. This walk will complement the ‘Ecosystem
Management and Conservation’ session.
Skomer Island (whole day)
Students will visit this spectacular bird reserve and marine conservation zone, which can be reached by a short boat trip from
Martin’s Haven. They will walk around the island exploring the conservation management issues affecting sea birds, marine life
and terrestrial habitats. This day trip will complement the ‘Ecosystem Management and Conservation’ session. There is an
additional cost of £7 per student to cover boat and landing fees. The trip is weather dependent but a walk around the Deer Park
(on the adjacent headland) or the Stackpole to Bosherston Conservation Walk can be substituted if necessary.
THE FIELD STUDIES COUNCIL HAS TWO LARGE FIELD CENTRES IN PEMBROKESHIRE – ORIELTON AND DALE FORT.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR COURSES AND FACILITIES VISIT OUR WEB PAGES AT:
http://www.field-studies-council.org/centres/orielton.aspx
http://www.field-studies-council.org/centres/dalefort.aspx
PLEASE CONTACT US ON 01646 623920 or [email protected]