2012+Murray+Darling+Basin

Welcome new Year 12 Geographers! The Murray Darling Basin Draft Plan has recently been released, and it is certainly stirring up controversy. We will be taking a closer look later in Unit 3, but here is a news clip as a bit of an intro. media type="youtube" key="Z7ERHfBUnxU" height="360" width="640" align="center"

Key Knowledge - Definition of a resource and a region Region – is an area with unique characteristics that distinguish it from surrounding areas Resource - is anything which occurs naturally or is created by humans provided that people use it to satisfy a need or want

Resources can be **classified** into groups. Be familiar with these terms in relation to resources- Natural / Human / Renewable / Non-renewable / sustainable / non-sustainable / recyclable You should have completed a glossary in your books using the textbook using the following worksheet [|Classifying Resources.docx] You will be asked to justify your classifications. To do this, explain why you resource is natural/human etc. The easiest way is to use the definition to help you e.g. fish are a renewable resource as they will replenish themselves in a short period of time.
 * Natural ** resources are supplied by nature, e.g. rivers, cliffs, rock, soil etc.
 * Human resources ** are produced by the work of humans, e.g. shops, furniture, roads etc.

Assessed homework: Create your own image annotation. Choose ANY picture you like and label 2 resources in the picture. You must then classify each resource TWO ways and provide a JUSTIFICATION for each classification.

Key Knowledge - importance of water as a resource in Australia Water is used extensively for many different purposes e.g. at home, manufacturing products, water sports, growing crops, power etc. We all need it, we all want it, but we don't all have enough. One of the biggest issues around the world is the //distribution// of water. Indeed, this is also one of the big problems in Australia too.

As a class we brainstormed all the possible ways we can use fresh water. We also grouped these ideas into categories based on their use.

For example, drinking, bathing, brushing teeth, flushing toilets = **domestic use** Swimming, surfing, fishing, kite-surfing, diving = **recreational use** man-made lakes, water fountains, backyard ponds = **aesthethic use**

You can use this as a form of classification also when describing resources, e.g Federation Square is a **human** and **recreational** resource. We use a lot of water in Australia. Recently, there has been a slow shift in the public understanding or our water resources. The 155 campaign is one example of how public education can dramatically improve the use of our natural resources.
 * Water use in Australia**

Read p.33 of the textbook as an introduction This map shows us the average annual rainfall across Australia. The darker the green, the more rainfall there is. Vice verse with the driest areas. In Geography it is vital that we are able to describe distribution patterns. It can be tricky but if we follow the 3 steps of PEEQ then we can make sure that we get maximise marks. P = pattern, state the type of pattern e.g. linear, clustered, dispersed, radial E = example, give an example from your data that backs up your choice of pattern E = exception, it is rare that things fit neatly into a pattern, where are the outliers? Name these Q = quantification, fancy why of saying, did you use place names or figures from the data in your answer?
 * Australia is a dry continent – with an average annual rainfall of 469mm, Australia is the driest inhabited continent.
 * It has very limited water resources. 75% of our continent is classified as arid (desert) with little or no precipitation.
 * It has __unreliable__ rainfall – that is, the rain can fall in deluges (e.g. late 2010 and early 2011) or not at all.
 * Rainfall distribution is __uneven__. Some areas receive large amounts of rain, while others receive very little.
 * Rainfall is __seasonal__, falling at different times of the year.

Distribution questions are not asking for reasons why it exists, only about what you SEE.

Practice describing the distribution pattern of rainfall by completeing this guided work through [|Water in Oz distribution work through.doc]

FYI - When making statements about maps, remember to always use compass directions (West and East, not left and right!)

Homework: Complete activity 5 on p.35 of the textbook. We have not looked at how to write //discuss// questions but see if you can give your thoughts on the statement as a start.

So what is sustainability?
 * Sustainability of water use**

//meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs//

Read the introduction of planning and management of water resource in Australia on p.36. The strategies on the follow page are examples of what has been done to try and reduce the amount of water. Remember that almost 70% of water used in Australia is irrigation, hence the need to ensure that strategies are designed particularly for irrigation.

Read through the strategies and start thinking about whether this means that Australia is sustainably using water....

One of the reasons to ensure sustainable use of water is the increasing conflict over water resources. This is especially true of countries that share a particular water source, such as The Nile Basin which is shared by TEN countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania.

At least with the MDB basin, we only have to negotiate use amongst 4 states and 1 territory at a national scale, imagine the difficulties of fair distribution at a global scale.

Have a look at this website [] which light heartedly maps conlflicts over water across the globe over time. You will notice that the number of conflicts increase, are increasing in severity, tend to be concentrated in two main areas of the globe, and now Australia features as a conflict location......

So why are the more conflicts over water? As a class, you came up with 4 reasons

Increasing populations and higher demand Changing technology such as irrigation Warming temperatures Changing perception of water's value

These are FACTORS or reasons as to **why** conflicts may be increasing. In Geography you will be expected to provide FACTORS or reasons as to why things happen or happened. There is an acronym we will use to try and provide well rounded and well planned answers, **SHEEPT** ** T ** In class we have created an overlay of the Average Annual Rainfall map on p.34 using tracing paper. An overlay should be in itself a full map, so make sure it includes all BOLTSS. We will use this overlay to learn/practice how to answer Spatial Association questions.
 * Social =** to do with people. e.g. Increasing populations and higher demand
 * Historical =** e.g. previous water agreements may be outdated
 * Economic =** e.g. prices on water may prevent access by all
 * Environmental =** e.g. Warming temperatures
 * Political =** e.g. Changing governments between water sharing states/nations
 * Technological =** e.g Changing technology such as irrigation

Assessed homework: Reread p.33-35 and complete questions 2 and 4. Reread p.36-37 and complete questions 1 and 2. Write an opinion piece on "my perception/value on water is.....", this should be planned, thought about carefully and written using correct paragraph structure. If you do not have the new textbook, please email me directly for the scans of the pages. Due to copyright I do not want to post them here :)

Key Knowledge - Geographic characteristics of the MDB region

So the basics, WHAT ARE GEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS?? For those of you new to Geography, we looked at these during transition at the end 2011. Its just a fancy way of saying FEATURES. They are split up, like always, into physical/natural characteristics and human characteristics e.g. amount of rainfall is a natural characteristics while types of buildings are a human characteristic. Think of the things you would mention if describing a photo.... Have a look at this document if you are still a little confused..... [|Geo Charateristics explanation.pdf]

The MDB region provides water for many different uses, but this region is under stress. The waterways are being degraded and habitats are disappearing. Check this site out for some information as to how important the basin is and what it’s like. []


 * Introduction to the MDB region**

The MDB is a unique basin in that it is so flat, big, has thousands of wetlands (some even internationally protected oooohhhhh) plus many many more. It has many geographic characteristics that set it apart from other global basins.
 * During the PowerPoint [|**MDB+intro+presentation.ppt**], complete the worksheet attached. [|**MDB intro questions.doc**]
 * While watching the dvd segment, complete the table to help organise the characteristics. [|System in crisis DVD – Geographic characteristics.doc]

There are Soooooo many characteristics about the MDB that make it unique we use an acronym to help us remember.... **BFSODIAC!!!!**




 * Using a whole page in your books, space the letters BFSODIAC down your page. Annotate each letter and add information using pg.39 (supp. p.2) to make notes on the characteristics. These make the MDB a unique //region//.
 * Complete activities 1,2,3 on page 40 (supp. p.3).


 * You MUST remember facts and figures for the exam to get top marks so make sure you are noting down useful information such as MDB is 14% of Australia's total land area etc. When giving answers be sure to include __specific__ information such as locations and figures. **

Assessed homework: We are now going to create a **poster** of MDB geographic characetristics while also mapping the average annual rainfall within the MDB. Use this A3 map [|MDB blank - geo charac.doc]. You must accurately shade (using appropriate colour scheme) the rainfall distribution within the MDB from figure 4.4 on p.42 onto your map and include a legend. The 11 stars around the map are for interesting characteristics that you see yourself being able to remember come the exam in November. **Use BOLTSS!!!**

Key Knowledge - Distributions of water resources in the MDB

Now that we now the average rainfall in the MDB is 480mm/year (wohoo) we might think that is the only water resource used in the MDB...NOPE! We are going to look at four others.

Due to high temperatures, low rainfall, low gradient and high evaporation rate (4x rainfall), most of the MDB basin contributes no run-off (rain that ends up in rivers). Rainfall as we know is variable throughout Australia, but also in the MDB.

We have looked at the roles the Great Dividing Range have in the rainfall entering the river systems. You **must** be familiar with the average annual rainfall map of the MDB, including specific figures and place names, e.g. Tamworth (800+mm/year), Broken Hill (<300mm/year). In times of low availability and drought, other sources need to be used. **Groundwater** use is increasing in some areas, with the MDB location over two main aquifers. This is mostly used for irrigation, in fact, 65% of all groundwater extracted is just for irrigation.

Diversions from other basins are also possible. This is when water is moved (diverted) from one basin to another. In the MDB it usually comes from the Snowy River Mountain Scheme. 5% of the flow comes from this scheme and over 1000GL are committed per year especially in times of low flow :( The management of water has affected conditions in wetlands and floodplains. Both have important environmental roles and provide habitats for many types of wildlife and vegetation, but you know what? We need this water too, so lets use it!
 * Assessed coursework: Page 41-44 of the textbook (supp. p4-6) is all about water resources. From this information you need to complete a table like this in your books. For each resource, write a definition and then important information and examples.


 * Assessed coursework: Complete activities 3,4,5,6 on page 44 (supp. p.7)
 * Complete the 1st page DEECD worksheet on water resources (scan to come) using the reference map provided (scan to come).
 * You must also add the 4 major rivers plus the Goulburn River, Hattah lakes, Barmah forest, Gunbower forest, Coorong wetlands, Chowilla floodplain (use p.45). You must use accurate shading techniques including appropriate selection of colours.

These are found throughout the MDB river system and are an important regulator. We discussed in class their function and decided that they are: //man-made structures that regulate the flow and water level of a river. They serve 3 main purposes: to facilitate navigation, assist in diversions for irrigation, to keep river levels more constant.// Watch the video [] for an example of how a boat passes through (it is slowwww).
 * Weirs and locks**

We will look at the regulation of rivers in more depth later on, but for now I have put together an activity for you to complete by searching the MDBA website, answering questions and beginning to interpret graphs.


 * Assessed coursework: Complete the research activity [|Water resources internet activity.docx]:

Key Knowledge - Geographic characteristics of the MDB region

As we can see from rainfall distribution, the MDB is not the same everywhere. In fact we can divide the basin by common characteristics, in particular land and water use.
 * Sub Regions **

The Riverine Plains is mostly irrigated agriculture while the Upper Darling is a high cotton producing area. We are going to the Shepparton Irrigation Region, within the Goulburn Valley which is in the Riverine Sub Region!


 * Read the introduction on p.45 (supp p.8)
 * Watch the video [] and list as many characteristics you can see.
 * Read the rest of the subregions section of the textbook p.46-47 (supp p.8-9) to get an overview of the many different 'faces' of the MDB
 * Using this information and the the maps 4B provided on water use and regions of the basin complete the activity [|Sub Region water use.docx].


 * Water use in the Goulburn Valley -** **Irrigation**

Surely by now we know that the MDB is dry, so how can it produce 40% of Australia's food? Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the land for the purpose of agricultural production. It is very important in the MDB.
 * Watch the irrigation powerpoint and Systems in Crisis chapter and complete the handout. [|Irrigation dvd worksheet.doc]
 * Complete [|Irrigation p51 Worksheet.docx] using the information from p.51 of the textbook

//The Goulburn Valley catchment in northern Victoria is one of the Basin’s most important sub catchments. The Goulburn is Victoria’s largest and most reliable River, flowing from a region of high average annual rainfall (1500mm) in the Great Dividing Range, across the dry, flat northern plains to its confluence with the Murray River near Echuca. Here the rainfall averages only 400mm a year.// Excerpt from GTAV Resources and Perspectives textbook, p.52.


 * Read through the following handout [|Goulburn Broken Catchment Info.doc] and using a highlighter, identify the most important information. You should only be selecting words or short sentences.
 * From the highlighted sections and what you have read overall, write what you expect the area will look like (what they will see) during our visit to the region.
 * It is also important to have spatial awareness about the area we visited, especially the important water sources and locations of towns. We must be able to locate these on a map. Ensure you have completed the mapping task [|Mapping the Goulburn Broken Catchment.doc] on the mp provided (no scanned file).


 * History of use **

The way water is used in the MDB has been greatly influenced by history. To really understand water use we need to take a trip back to the early days.... The Systems in Crisis DVD is very good at looking back to the early settlers and how water use has evolved since then. Regulation of the river system began with the early settlers. Many experienced difficulty and frustration with variable river flows and climate with their farming practices. The Europeans brought with them their ideas of farming, and set to changing the river system to suit them, as opposed to the other way.
 * We will a segment of the ‘System in Crisis’ DVD, Chapter //Early days//. Complete the worksheet [|Early days Worksheet for DVD.doc]

Have a look at this file for some more information...




 * Assessed coursework: From the textbook reading ‘background’ on page 48 and the DVD information, choose two actions/decisions made in the early settlement of the MDB that you think has impacted how we use water today in the MDB the most and **explain**.
 * To explain** **=** //Give reasons why a situation exists or occur. You must give clear details to give the reader and understanding of the issue//
 * Assessed coursework: Complete the following homework sheet including 2011 VCAA exam question [|Goulburn Valley homework.docx]


 * Regulation of the Murray River**

//In less than 200 years the Basin has been transformed dramatically, in order to meet the needs of Australia’s population and to assist with its economic development. Today the MDB river system is Australia’s most productive agricultural region, is also one of the most highly regulated river systems in the world. Even the seasonal flows have been changed. There have been social, economic and environmental costs and benefits of this process. Once, every drop of water that fell in the Basin was used by the environment. Now, water is diverted to farms and even beyond the Basin. When rain does fall it is stored in large dams and saved for drier times.// **Excerpt from GTAV Resources and Perspectives textbook, p.58.**

So what does this look like? See if you can tell from this graph. It is the monthly flow of the Murray River at Albury under natural and regulated conditions.



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 * Coursework assessed: Together as a class we will somplete the first graph description on the worksheet [|Hume Dam graph TEEQ activity.docx] but you will need to ensure that the 2nd is done by yourself.

So we meet them again! We want to explain why somethings occurs so we will use factors to give reasons. This example [|SHEEPT example.docx] gives reasons as to why Australia is most denselt populated along its coastlines.
 * SHEEPT Factors **

**SHEEPT factors = giving reasons**

Social – to do with people, populations, and their perceptions Historical – to do with past practices Environmental – to do with the environment, both natural and human Economic – to do with money such as profits, revenue, costs Political – Government practices which affect resource use. Technological – Knowledge and abilities at particular times influence how a resource is used
 * This is not specific enough, so in the [|SHEEPT table.docx]., use p. of the textbook to locate a specific definition and general example of the type of reason that factor will give.

e.g. Social factors are the features and values of particular societies, including but not limited to; language, religion, attitudes, cultural norms, ethnicity, population structure. A general example = Reasons why women in Africa do most of the farm work and collection of water is due to traditional and ingrained gender norms about 'women's work'.
 * Assessed coursework: Now use your knowledge, and information in the supplement, to describe why irrigation is prevalent in the Goulburn Valley.
 * Assessed coursework: We will watch the System in Crisis chapter 11/12 and answer the following question:

// Social factors, such as the farming backgrounds that immigrant groups brought from Europe have played a part in agriculture in the Murray-Darling region. What are some of the other factors affecting patterns of use (at least five)? Describe at least one example of each factor. //

Key Knowledge - Evaluate the relative importance of factors

It is important that you justify your ranking by comparing each to the other. This is the //relative// part of the question.

E.g.


 * 1) 1 (actually say factor) is more important than #2 (actually say factor) and #3 (actually say factor) because......
 * 2) 2 (actually say factor) is more important than #3 (actually say factor) beacuse.....


 * Assessed coursework: Complete the following worksheet as preparation for our upcoming SAC next week (last week of term) [|Homework 15 March.doc]

xxxxx