On the 8th of March a group travelled to La Trobe University Wildlife Sanctuary located in Bundoora to investigate the health of a wetlands ecosystem. On this specific day the weather presented itself to be dry and hot at a temperature of 22 °C with clear skies. The sanctuary the group travelled to was once occupied by Aboriginals and was utilised due to the rich nature of the wetlands and the abundance of species encompassing the area. The original Wildlife Reserve once being 6.5 hectares has since grown and been increased to 30 hectares with habitats within the sanctuary including fozzie's and small lakes being freshwater habitats which are the natural environment for a number of freshwater species. In addition to the freshwater habitats, …show more content…
Within the two wetlands, an evident difference in the site quality was seen resulting in a difference in the richness of species apparent. Due to Small lakes being within the sanctuary and being maintained and away from civilian life and the consequences of human interaction. The relatively high turbidity score at 128.8 found within the lake is a result of the natural processes and animals living within the sanctuary, Fozzie's had a significantly lower turbidity score at 6.7.

Despite Fozzie's being a water source located in the carpark of the sanctuary being exposed to the general population, a greater richness score was collated at 20.14 in comparison to small lakes at 9. The richness score of Fozzie's can be believed due to the consistent movement of cars and individuals coming to and from the area, bringing different species to the area that could otherwise not get directly into the sanctuary. This idea can be supported by the presence of a University car park closely nearby and a road additionally. The signal score, however, gives an indication of water quality of the wetland from which the sample was collected. Fozzies presented to have a decreased signal score at 2.54 in comparison to small lakes at 4.48 ultimately suggesting the greater presence of freshwater macroinvertebrates and better quality which still reigns since the settlement of …show more content…
The continuous change in Melbourne weather can result in a difference in the data collected for animals and invertebrates within the sanctuary could possibly be more evident and or active at certain times of the year. This can also be believed to be the same with plants in the sanctuary which would, in turn, increasing the abundance score of the sites. Collecting data by more than one group allowed comparisons to be made and averages to be calculated. In addition to this, it allowed a better interpretation of the abiotic and biotic factors surveyed in these two