Plants

Bitou bush is an introduced species that has taken over 80% of the NSW coastline. A single stand of bitou can produce 50 000 seeds a year. These seeds remain in the soil as a seed bank until the adult plants are removed. Once this happens the seeds germinate quickly replacing the adult plants. More...

Your task is to design experiments to test possible ways to control bitou bush.

Task 1: Can bitou seeds be destroyed by the heat from a bushfire? More...

Task 2: Can bitou seeds be destroyed by frost? More...

Task 3: Can bitou seedlings be destroyed by salt spray? More...

Task 4: Which fertiliser has the most affect on the growth of bitou? More...

Validity and reliability

In a scientific investigation you must ask yourself if the experiment is valid and reliable. More...

Variables

The variables in an investigation are categorised as the independent variable, the dependent variable and the controlled variables. Ideally only one variable should change in an investigation. More...

Bitou bush

There are many experiments that can be planned using plants. Plants are easy to keep and respond to treatments. You have four experiments to plan. Each one investigates a way of controlling bitou bush.

The following activities are suitable for use on an interactive whiteboard. You will need Activstudio 3 to open these flipcharts. Watch how to use the flipchart. If you do not have an IWB then use the Flash alternative.

Task 1 Effect of heat on germination.

Task 2 Effect of freezing on germination

Task 3 Effect of salt spray

Task 4 Effect of fertiliser on growth

Weeds attack! can be downloaded from TaLe. It is a game based resource that models the use of biocontrols on bitou bush.