Year 13 Biology Field Trip, Pembrokeshire

The Year 13 Biology students had a fantastic time at Dale Fort studying the Rocky shore ecosystem and looking for patterns of distribution of some of the organisms that survive there. They were able to collect data and analyse how the height above chart datum affected where different organisms were found such as purple top shells and limpets.  

We headed to a saltmarsh which we use as a model of succession and the students used point frame quadrats to look at the variety of species that are found at different points in the Saltmarsh. The very muddy gully in the saltmarsh did manage to swallow some wellies as the students made their way across!

They also had an opportunity to catch and use some Sandhoppers in a choice chamber to see which conditions these animals prefer. They were fairly tricky to catch and the students had great fun in coming up with various methods of catching and using them. 

We then ended the trip comparing the various chlorophyll pigments in different seaweeds using chromatography to separate out the pigments.  

Thank you so much to all the students who put so much effort into making the most of their experience and to Ms McKenna, Miss Adams and Mrs Mabbott for looking after the students so well and driving them to Dale Fort.