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WetlandCare Australia - Teacher Resources

Photopoints – Watching your Wetland

A plant survey involves looking at the plants in and around the wetland. Photopoints are one way to survey wetland plants.

The number and types of plants at a wetland can tell us about the water quality.

 

Taking Photopoints

Taking photos can be an excellent way to record the wetland habitats. Photos can be very useful in showing changes over time or showing ‘before’ and ‘after’ shots of a particular event.

Scientists use photos in their studies and put up makers on the exact spot the photo was taken, called a Photopoint, so months or years down the track they can locate that position again.

A good Photopoint view is one that is not obstructed by a large tree or plant and takes in a range of different habitats, eg water, riparian and some of the floodplain. Often positions that are slightly elevated that can look down onto an area can make a good Photopoint.

 

Field Work

Equipment: Map of the wetland, pencils, and camera

Photopoints

1. Walk around the wetland and look for a good position for a Photopoint
   
2. Mark an X on the map of the wetland, so you may be able to find that position at a later date.
   
   HINT: choose a position near a landmark such as a telegraph pole, near a house, near a very large tree etc
   
3. Using the camera take a photo at the Photopoint
   
   Or
   
   Draw a ‘snapshot’ of what you see.

 

Classroom

Compare the different ‘Photopoints’

 

Note: A downloadable version of this resource is available in the "reports and related files" section below.

 

• Photopoints (PDF - 9 KB)