Hazardous Environment Fieldwork
- Fieldwork in a hazardous environment is based on the physical processes involved in an extreme weather event
- To undertake a weather fieldwork enquiry there are a range of practical skills and methods that will be used
- These can be applied to any weather fieldwork
- The fieldwork enquiry should be linked to geographical theory
- In a weather fieldwork enquiry, the theories of microclimate and the passage of a depression or tropical storm can be used
Aims and Hypothesis
- The aims and hypothesis come from questions asked about the weather such as:
- How does the weather change as a depression passes over an area?
- How does the microclimate of an area vary?
- What are the impacts of the built environment on microclimate?
- Examples of an aim would be:
- An investigation into the effect of school buildings on the microclimate
- An investigation into the changing weather patterns during the passage of a depression
- Examples of a hypothesis would be:
- Temperatures decrease with distance from buildings
- Precipitation is greatest when air pressure is lowest during the passage of a depression
- After the aims and hypothesis of the fieldwork have been established the next steps include:
- Selecting the sites - this will involve sampling
- Deciding on the equipment to be used
- Considering any health and safety issues - completing a risk assessment
- Data collection method
Worked example
(i) Suggest one aim of a microclimate investigation
- Answer:
- Any valid aim acceptable for 1 mark
- The 2nd mark requires the development of the aim e.g. measure weather conditions (1) compare with another local site (1) measure temperature … (1) compare with Met Office station recordings for that area (1)
(ii) Identify three reasons why a microclimate investigation might not achieve the aim given in (i)
- Answer:
- accuracy of data collected (1)
- sufficient data collected (1)
- careful data recording (1)
- accuracy of data collation (1) and data presentation (1)
- reliable analysis and interpretation of findings (1)
- validity of conclusions reached (1)
- realism and practicality of aim (1)
- suitability of sites chosen (1)
Site Selection and Sampling
- It is not practical to include all weather measurements throughout the day or to take measurements at all sites
- To select sites sampling should be used
- Sampling will reduce bias
- It will provide an overview of the whole
- There may be situations where access to the sample site may be limited meaning an opportunistic approach may need to be taken. However, this should be as close as possible to the site selected using sampling
- The most commonly used sampling strategies for a weather enquiry are:
- Systematic - sampling of sites at regular intervals along a transect line
- Random - this means that all sites have an equal chance of being selected. A grid placed across a map of the school site would enable random sampling
- Stratified - sampling sites which represent the whole
Worked example
A group of students have investigated the physical processes involved in an extreme weather event by recording a weather diary. The students use an anemometer to record wind speed every hour.
Identify the sampling method used (1)
| A. Systematic | |
| B. Random | |
| C. Stratified | |
| D. Opportunistic |
- Answer:
- A (1) - Systematic (the measurements are taken at regular intervals)
Worked example
Outline three factors which should be considered when choosing a suitable sampling site for a microclimate enquiry (6)
- Answer:
- Different surroundings (1) 2nd mark for this to be exemplified twice e.g. south-facing aspect (1); sheltered spot (1); open space (1)
- 1 Mark allowed for valid health & safety consideration e.g. trespass (1); traffic (1)
- open space (1) gives more “natural” reading for the area (1)
- trespass (1) ensure permission acquired (1)
Equipment
- To complete weather measurements a range of equipment is needed
- The equipment includes the following:
- Equipment may be in a Stevenson Screen
- Thermometer - temperature
- Hygrometer - humidity
- Anemometer - wind speed
- Barometer - air pressure
- Wind vane - wind direction
- Rain gauge - precipitation amount
- Pencil for writing data
- Camera to take photographs of equipment/measurements
Risk Assessment
- Any fieldwork will involve consideration of health and safety using a risk assessment
- Risks specifically associated with weather fieldwork may include:
- Weather conditions
- Slipping on uneven ground
- Working in an unfamiliar place
- Misuse of equipment - mercury thermometers
- Traffic
Worked example
A group of students investigated the physical processes involved in an extreme weather event by recording a weather diary.
(i) Identify one risk that the students may identify when undertaking a risk assessment for the investigation (1)
- Answer:
- ( Fallingover in ) strong winds (1).
- Exposure sunburn (1)
- Slips / trips/ bumps (1)
- An extreme weather event (1)
- Heavy rain/flooding (1)
(ii) State one way this risk could be managed (1)
- Answer: (Staying indoors is not accepted and the answer must be specific to the answer given to (i)
- Avoid exposed locations / out in the open (1)
- Collecting data once the storm has died down (1)
- Use secondary data (1)
- Walking with care (1)
- Working in groups (1)
- Wearing sunscreen suntan lotion (1)
- Staying away from a storm (1)
- Using a weather forecast (1)
- Remote collection of weather data (1)
