121-030 Ecological Biogeography

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Any one of the following: 121-213/313 Plants, People and Changing Environments, 121-025 Biodiversity, 606-204 Plant Ecology, 654-204 Animal Ecology, or equivalent as approved by subject coordinator.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject deals with issues such as the ecological significance of modern concepts of succession and climax as they apply to plant communities; the theory and methods of palaeo-ecology and the impact that climate and humans have had on biogeographic patterns over long periods of time; the interactions between the plant, animal and soil systems in the context of ecosystem functioning and how these relate to ecosystem restoration. On completion of the subject students should be able to identify how major environmental factors 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

A 2-hour examination, weekly laboratory exercises totalling 2000 words, a field report of 3000 words, and seminar work totalling 1000 words. Students must attend the field trip and a minimum 80% of laboratory and seminar classes to be eligible to pass the subject.