791-223 Australian Ecosystems II

Credit Points:

Coordinator:

Prerequisite/s:

Timetable:

Contact:

Objectives:

This subject is designed to enable the student to:

• identify and name common Victorian plants, animals and ecosystems;

• investigate biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems;

• understand the ecological interaction between organisms;

• understand the role of fire in ecosystems;

• have a basic understanding of the habitat requirements of fauna and the assessment procedures involved in habitat assessment.

Content:

The impact of topography, climate, populations and time on ecosystem structure and function; the vegetation types of Victoria, and the common flora and fauna of Victoria; species interactions; Australian fire ecology, with specific emphasis on the role of fire as a management tool; ecological management of ecosystems, and the conservation of flora and fauna with specific preference to remnant vegetation; habitat requirements of the Australian invertebrate and vertebrate fauna.

Assessment: