121-172 Global Ecology and Biogeography

Note

Students who have taken 121-172 Environmental Management or 121-174 Ecology for Engineers cannot receive credit for this subject due to overlap in subject content.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Global Ecology and Biogeography serves as an introduction to the disciplines of Physical Geography and Environmental Studies. The subject introduces the nature of global patterns of species diversity and biogeographic realms. The distribution, properties and functioning of the world's major biomes (tropical, temperate and boreal forests, grasslands, deserts, arctic and alpine systems, island ecosystems and wetlands) are discussed. An introduction to soil forming processes and the distribution of soils on a global basis is provided. Deforestation, desertification, acidification, wetland conversion, fragmentation, invasions and extinctions are examined in relation to the nature and scale of human impacts and the restoration and preservation of ecosystems. Upon completion of the subject students will be familiar with basic ecological concepts and issues in contemporary biogeography at the global scale. Students will be able to identify how environmental variables influence the distribution and properties of the world's major landscapes. In addition, students will be able to apply basic field and laboratory methods in biogeography and have an understanding of the extent of human impacts on biomes.

Assessment

Thirteen weekly practical exercises to be completed in class, assignment of up to 2000 words, a 2-hour end-of-semester examination. Weighting of assessment items will be announced at the beginning of the semester.