Splash into Science
Populations Practical Activity
In this practical activity, you will investigate and research the Burrunan dolphin population to determine which individuals are resident, and which individuals are transient, to the population.
Our materials for this practical activity are:
Burrunan dolphin fin identification catalogue
Burrunan dolphin field survey data images
Burrunan dolphin sighting data sheet
Instructions for practical activity:
Our aim is to identify the unknown dolphins from our scientific survey field trips with known dolphins from our Burrunan dolphin fin identification catalogue, to identify which dolphins are resident to the population (belong to the population), and which dolphins are transient (visit the population)
Starting with Survey 1: January - February, match the dorsal fin ‘nicks and notches’ of the unknown dolphins, to a dolphin in the catalogue. Once you have identified the individual dolphin, find its catalogue number on the data sheet and mark it off in the corresponding column.
Continue through each Survey, until you have identified each dolphin! Make sure the number of dolphins you have identified matches the number of dolphins from each survey!
Once you have completed the dataset, use your understanding of population biology to determine if that individual dolphin is resident or transient.
REMEMBER: We are matching the dolphin dorsal fin ‘nicks and notches’, not the photos themselves!
Burrunan dolphin fin identification catalogue
Survey 1: January - February
Survey 2: March - April
Survey 3: May - June
Survey 4: July - August
Survey 5: September - October
Survey 6: November - December
Burrunan Dolphin Populations Practical Activity Assessment Questions
Using the population identification dataset you have created, use your knowledge of population biology to complete the following questions.