792-281 Ecology and Ecotourism

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject are to:

• introduce participants to some important principles in ecology, and their application in agriculture and other forms of resource management;

• provide skills in quantitative ecology;

• discuss the concept and practise of ecotourism.

The content includes: Definitions and scope in ecology; ecosystems (natural and managed); Ecological principles: energy flow and nutrient cycling; features of ecosystems - diversity, succession, productivity, stability, sustainability; Environmental issues in agriculture; vegetation, land and water degradation, wild life diversity, pests, and weeds, biological control, trees and agroforestry. Methods in quantitative plant and animal ecology; monitoring ecological change. Greenhouse effect and ozone depletion. Ecotourism defined and compared with farm tourism and other commercial uses of natural areas on private and public land.

Assessment

Two hour written examination (30%); assignment of 1000 words (40%); practical assessment (30%).