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Field Study - Introduction Murray River Ecosystem within Echuca   The Murray River Forty million years ago, through the forces of water and geophysical uplifting, the valley that cradles Australia's greatest river began to take shape. The Murray River is a river whose character encompasses environmental beauty, ecological diversity, rich in heritage and histroy, busy townships, tourism and recreational opportunities, and a continuing bounty of produce by supporting many agricultural industries and enterprises (commonly referred to as the "Food Bowl of Australia").

The Murray River is Australia's longest river, and the world's 16th longest river. At 2,375 kilometers in length, from it's source in the Kosciusko National Park in Australia's Great Dividing Range, it drains the western side of Australia's highest mountains and, for most of its length, meanders across Australia's inland plains. The Murray River forms the border between New South Wales and Victoria as it flows to the northwest, before turning south for its final 500 kilometres or so into South Australia, before emptying through the Murray Mouth into the Southern Ocean, near Goolwa in South Australia.

Through its rich and diverse envrionments and inhabiting flora and fauna, the Murray River provides endless field study opportunities.

The Field Study Students are required to design, conduct and report on a field study related to the interactions between living things and their environment, and explain how ecosystems change over time. Students will visit a site along the Murray River within the towhship of Echuca. The location has been selected for its ecological diversity and proximity to schools within the area.

In preparation for this activity, and in conjunction with the theory of concepts related to the interations between living things and their environment, students are required to conduct the Pre-Field Study Learning Activities. Students will then visit the selected site on the Murray River to conduct the Field Study and finally, complete a major assessment task, in the form of a report, as detail in the Post-Field Study Learning Activity.

//Photos: Suzanne Russell, Echuca/Moama, October 2010//