791-223 Australian Ecosystems II

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Australian Ecosystems I, Plant Biology (NRM).

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

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.

The content includes: 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

Two hour examination (40%); two assignments of 2000 words each (20% each); presentation (20%).