School of Geography, Earth Science and Environment
GE201: Biogeography: Plants, Animals and the Human Environment
REVISED Major Assignment for Circum-Viti Levu Fieldtrip to the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, Nadromai Village, Navai Village and Mt. Tomaniivi (Victoria) in Northcentral Viti Levu, Fiji Islands, Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 September 2011.
TOTAL MARKS 100 = 15% OF FINAL GRADE.
DUE DATE: FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER 2011
I. VITI LEVU – MAJOR ESSAY
1 Write an 8-page essay on “Viti Levu: A Case Study of Island Biodiversity”. Your essay should focus on the different natural and cultural terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity that are found on Viti Levu, with focus on dominant species (plants and animals) and crops in different areas. The essay should be based on what you have learned in the past and your personal research and observations on the four-day fieldtrip. It should include a brief general introduction about the location and geographical characteristics of Viti Levu and what you will be discussing (your topics) in the body of the essay. It should stress the diversity of Viti Levu’s biodiversity as a foundation for food and productive security for most of Fiji’s rural and urban people and discuss some of the obstacles to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in Fiji. It should also include a general map of Viti Levu showing place names and can include photos, which should have appropriate captions. It should be written as if you are preparing this as a module to teach high students or tourists about the diversity of ecosystems and biodiversity of Viti Levu (Individual). (30 marks).
II. SIGATOKA DUNES
2. CALCULATIONS AND MEASUREMENT
a. On the 1:13,000 aerial photo of the sand dunes, calculate the approximate total area (in m2, hectares and km2) of the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park between the Queens Rd and the Kulukulu Back Road and the coastline and the