121-306 Ecological Biogeography A

Note

Credit cannot be obtained for both this subject and 121-339 Ecological Biogeography B or Faculty of Arts subjects 121-340 Principles of Ecological Biogeography or 121-341 Techniques in Ecological Biogeography.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Any one of the following: 121-213/313 Plants, People and Changing Environments; 606-204 Plant Ecology, 654-204/214 Animal Ecology or equivalent as approved by subject coordinator.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject covers material on: principles of biogeography; concepts and methods dealing with the reconstruction of past biogeographic patterns; palynology, palaeoclimatic effects on biota, theories of vicariance and long distance transport, the impact of humans; island biogeography; succession theory; the dynamics of communities and populations in relation to processes operating over different spatial and temporal scales; fire ecology and management; concepts and methods in restoration ecology. Field, laboratory and seminar work extend material presented in lectures. By the end of the subject students should understand: the ecological significance of modern concepts of the species, succession and climax as they apply to plant communities; the theory and methods of palaeo-ecology and the impacts that climate and humans have had on biogeographic patterns over long periods of time; and the interactions between the plant, animal and soil systems in context of ecosystem functioning and how these relate to the practice of ecosystem restoration. They should also be able to identify how major environmental factors, operating at different spatial and temporal scales, influence the properties and pattern of communities and populations; and apply a range of field, laboratory and computer methods for community and population description and analysis.

Assessment

One 2-hour end-of-semester examination, weekly laboratory exercises, a 3000 word field report, seminar work. Weighting of assessment items will be announced at the beginning of the semester. Students must attend at least 80% of the seminars to be eligible to pass the subject.