Plant sampling at Lower Smite Farm (c) Deborah Bull
We will tailor make our geography and biology programmes for your classes to meet your examination needs.
We offer a range of programmes to meet your requirements for exam syllabuses and targets at GCSE and 'A' Level.
Whilst we have listed our popular programmes below there are other biology and geography topics from which you may design your own timetable - please call us to discuss this further.
Throughout our programmes at this level, all students will:
- devise a hypothesis
- identify habitats
- use random and systematic sampling methods
- identify and record variety and number of species
- record abiotic factors
- compare and contrast findings
- apply statistical formulae
- critically assess their methods and findings
- consider human impact on habitats
- draw conclusions
Biology
Aquatic Invertebrate Sampling
Students will use random sampling to study life in a pond. After using keys to identify the creatures they will use their data to calculate pyramid of number and/or biomass, calculate a biotic index and also use statistics such as Chi² to compare populations in two ponds. Students can also practise mark and recapture and calculate populations using the Lincoln index.
Woodland Biodiversity
Students will compare biodiversity in coniferous and deciduous woodland compartments by using random and systematic sampling techniques. From this they will discuss and research adaptation to abiotic factors. Students will also learn about nature reserve management for commercial and leisure interests.
Farmland Ecology
Students will gain first-hand experience of Lower Smite Farm’s wildlife-friendly farming practice. An overview of farming and a tour will lead to an investigation as to whether methods are increasing biodiversity on the farm via random and systematic sampling. Students will use Simpson's Biodiversity Index to quantify their results.
River Ecology
Students will investigate how invertebrate numbers vary against stream flow conditions such as velocity, depth and bedload. They will then use Spearman’s rank correlation co-efficient to quantify their results.
Geography
Fluvial Geography
Students will study the Leigh Brook and its catchment at Alfrick Pound. From aerial photographs they may view the variety of habitats on the reserve and will be provided with historical flooding data. Their studies will include sketching, recording and discussing management issues. They will assess landform, channel processes and flooding through the measurement of channel profile, bedload, flow rate and the calculation of discharge.
Woodland Variation
Students will collect and compare abiotic data in coniferous and deciduous woodland compartments by using random sampling. Students can complete sketches to demonstrate differing woodland structure, create soil profiles and also learn about nature reserve management for commercial and leisure interests.
Farming systems
Students will gain first-hand experience of Lower Smite Farm’s wildlife-friendly farming practice. An overview of farming practice and a tour will lead to a decision-making exercise based around farm stewardship and other subsidies. Following this, students will complete an investigation as to whether stewardship/organic methods are increasing biodiversity on the farm via random and systematic sampling.