792-401 Soft Systems Applications

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Objectives:

On completion of this subject students will be able to demonstrate the ability to use a systems approach in the study and management of natural and agroecosystems.

Content:

Concepts and terms in a systems approach - types of systems, systems terminology; systems versus disciplinary approaches to research; science and systems thinking; soft and hard systems approaches. World and Australian land-use systems - simple classifications; simple models of systems (farming/horticultural etc.); production cycles (examples in systems). Natural and managed systems - ecology and ecosystems; population dynamics; diversity, succession, disturbance; nutrient cycles, energy flows and trophic levels. Determinants of land use systems - natural resources (and resource condition); environment/climatic factors; cultural, social and economic factors; management factors. Evaluation of system performance - productivity, stability, sustainability; biological and financial sustainability; measures of biological productivity and efficiency; cultural and social implications; environment impact assessment. The farming systems research approach. Computer models of land use systems in Australia (examples).

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