Outdoor Ed Flashcards
Hypothermia
A dangerous condition in which the core body temperature drops below 35C
Biodiversity
The variety of all life forms, the different plants, animals, and microorganism, the genes they contain; and the ecosystems of which they form part
Community
A group of interdependent plants and animals inhabiting the same region and interacting with each other
What are the four types of heat loss
Conduction
Convection
Evaporation
Radiation
Conduction
Heat passes out of the body directly onto a cooler object, such as the ground an injured person is lying on
Convection
Heat rises away from the body into the air. Clothing helps prevent this eg windchill
Evaporation
Heat is removed from the body as water of perspiration, evaporate and the skin dries.
Radiation
Heat is given off to a cooler environment directly
The base layer
Is in direct contact with the skin, for moisture management. Base layer materials do not retain moisture but transport it away from the skin
Eg thermals made from Marino wool and polypropylene
The middle layer
The insulation layer. The purpose of the middle layer is to retain body heat. The best way to do this is by creating an area of dead dry air.
Eg down jackets and fleeces
The outer layer
Has three main purposes, to protect from the wind, protection from moisture (rain/snow) and getting rid of body moisture
Eg Goretex and eVent
Position as aspect
Climate and flora and fauna within environments can differ depending on whether they are found in a northerly or southerly direction. It is important however that they interact with each other
North- sun, warmer, soil is dryer, flora has taller trees, more growth
South- cooler, wetter, flora- lots of ferns, more moss, darker
Geology
The scientific study of the origins, history and structure of the earth. The makeup of the earths appearance
Climate
The prevailing weather conditions of a region. Temperature variations affect evaporation and the level of moisture in the soil. The widest range of temperatures occur in the dry regions
First aid for hyperthermia
Remove wet clothing and replace with dry
If possible try and get them in a dry area as the aim is to make them as warm as possible
Give them heat packs
The first aid method is to place them in a burrito wrap/ hyperthermia wrap.
A tarp is placed on the floor and then the person is wrapped in two sleeping bags on top of the tarp. Then another tarp is place onto of the person
Biodiversity alpine
- Typically vegetated by Heath, herb and grass species and sphagnum bogs
- snow gums, Baw Baw frog, Pygmy possum, bogong moths
Human influence and threat - alpine
Ski resorts
Global warming
Coastal
Areas linking the land and the sea
Constantly changing due to sculpting effects of the wind, rain and waves
Distribution -coastal
Vic has 2000km of coastland ranging from sheltered bays to rugged eroded cliffs
Approx 123 bays inlets and estuaries which vary in size from 1 square km to 2000 square km
Elevation and climate coastal
Rainfall from 700 to 1200 millimetres per year
Located in flat landscapes at low altitudes from 0-200 meters above sea level
Biodiversity coastal
Orange bellied parrot
Wind, salt and natural land instability influences coastal vegetation
Coastal human influences
More than 85% of Australians live less than 50kms from the coast
Threats comes from urban development and the introduction of weeds and animals which readily adapt to the environment
Grasslands
Less than 10% of natural tree or shrubs cover
Ecological communities where grass species dominate the area
Distribution grasslands
Prior to European settlement grasslands covers the plains between the Murray Valley and the Great Dividing range
Today grasslands are found in patches in the north and western parts of the state
Elevation and climate grasslands
Grasslands are located in flat to gentle undulating lanscapaes
Found at low altitudes with low to medium rainfall 400-1000mm per year
Biodiversity grasslands
Grasslands are among the most species rich plant communities in Australia
The bust stone curlew is an endangered species
Human influence greasslands
The land was readily available to settlers and from this an introduction of sheep and cattle increased the degradation
Today less than 1% of Victoria’s native grassland remains intact and these areas are at risk of weed invasion and urbane development
Wet Forrest
Landscapes with thick dense vegetation in areas of high rainfall
Minimal light and vegetation are at ground level
Elevation and climate wet forest
Rainfall between 800-1500 mm per year
Environments are found in sheltered gullies at altitudes from 200-1200 meters above sea level
Distribution wet forest
Found in the souther, central and north east regions of the state
Wilsons prom, Otway ranges, the alps
Biodiversity wet forest
More species live in wet forests than any other type of ecosystem
Wet forests have high biodiversity due to the large range of habitats created in the many layers of the forest and the warm humid climate
Lee beaded possum
Human influence and threat wet forest
Wet forest plant distribution can be significantly reduced following burning
Wet forests are the focus of intensive timber harvesting
Safety
Good preparation and planning
Access to medical help
Complete risk assessment
Access to evacuation points and emergency contingency plans
Sustainable interactions
Facilities available
Minimal impact strategies
Sensitivity to flora and fauna
Sights of cultural significance
