An introduction to the diversity of life along the Murray River. This presentation focuses on identifying relationships, habitat and change over time. It aims to draw out what students already know, encouraging them to share and to promote discussion and further learning.

1. Murray River
Virtual Field Trip
Your name
Date

2. Why is this ecosystem
so important?
Because it is our local ecosystem,
right on our doorstep.
Its biodiversity gives quality of life.
It is part of our Australian heritage.
It is important to tourism.

3. It is a complex
ecosystem.
The Murray River is old.
It flows through very
different landscapes.
And its path is always
changing.
The upper Murray is mountainous. The middle Murray is flat. The lower Murray flows between cliffs.

4. Its level changes throughout
the year.
Flood.Drought.
http://www.environment.gov.au/node/21905

5. Living
things are
affected
by...
available habitats...
water quality...
upstream events...
competition

6. Mist over the Murray River in the Barmah State Forest at Echuca, Tourism Victoria
Find my home. Use arrows to show were these animals live.

7. Images courtesy of Tourism Victoria
Find my habitat. Use arrows to show these habitats.
River Red Gum
woodlands
Snags and woody
debris
Hollow logs and
tree trunks
Deep holes in
the river bed
Shallow shore
areas and reeds
Understory
bushes and
grasses.
Sandy river banks Tree roots

8. See how my habitat has
changed in the last 200 years.
Use arrows to show these habitats.
River Red Gum
woodlands
Snags and woody
debris
Hollow logs and
tree trunks
Deep holes in
the river bed
Shallow shore
areas and reeds
Understory
bushes and
grasses.
Sandy river banks Tree roots

9. See how the river as an ecosystem
fits in the landscape.
Use arrows to show these habitats and land
features.
Billabongs: long
necked turtles
love them.
Corridor of
River Red Gum
Trees helps
migration of
swamp wallabies.
River channels transport
nutrients and allow fish
migration.
Urban
development:
how do these
affect the
river?
Dryland farming: livestock
can cause bank damage.
Irrigated land:
run-off can
increase salinity
levels.

10. Explain what you have learnt in this virtual field trip.
What can we do to look after the Murray River Ecosystem?