600-111 Biology of Australian Flora and Fauna

Note

This subject is a joint Botany/Zoology subject

Credit Points

Coordinator

Contact

Subject Description

By the completion of this subject students should have:

• knowledge of the evolutionary history of the Australian biota, and the influence of past changes in geology, climate and soil;
• an appreciation of the great diversity and genetic resources of the Australian biota;
• knowledge of the structure and physiology of native plants and animals in relation to surviving in Australian environments;
• an understanding of the impact of humans on Australian ecosystems and issues of conservation biology;
• skills to improve their self-study and analysis and evaluation of biological information.

This study will include the history of Australia from the Cretaceous to the present, influence of Australian Aborigines and Europeans. Australian environments, climatic zones, major biomes. Terrestrial biota: diversity, endemism and biology of Australian plants, relictual rainforests, sclerophylly, adaptation to fire, diversity, endemism and biology of unique habitats, low nutrients and aridity; diversity, endemism and biology of vertebrate fauna including amphibians and marsupials; marine environments, algae, invertebrates, reefs, mangrove communities, inland waterbodies. Ecology, conservation, and management of Australian ecosystems.

Assessment

A 3-hour written examination at the end of the subject and submission of 3 activities from the self-study program.

Prescribed Texts

• R. B. Knox, P. Y. Ladiges and B. K. Evans, Biology. 1994, McGraw-Hill.