211-411 Processes in Forest Ecosystems

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Any one of 211-203 Forest Soils, 211-215 Forest Ecology, 606-204 Plant Ecology and 606-207 Flora of Victoria

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject will cover the ecosystem processes that determine the distribution, diversity and productivity of forests and woodlands in south-eastern Australia, and their regeneration potential. The subject aims to provide a sound theoretical and practical basis for understanding processes and methods in forest ecology. The subject will include:

• vegetation and soils of forest ecosystems of south eastern Australia, including assessment of floristic and faunal diversity, and animal-plant interactions;

• quantitative analysis of forest biomass, nutrient and bio-geochemical data at stand and catchment levels;

• forest productivity and nutrient cycling;

• the relevance of forests and forest soils in global carbon cycling and the emerging carbon economy; and

• and the potential of reafforestation for sequestration and storage of atmospheric carbon.

The subject involves the preparation, writing and oral presentation of a scientific report developed from the field practical.

Assessment

One major report, an oral presentation and a 3-hour written examination.

Prescribed Texts

• R H Groves, Australian Vegetation. 2nd Ed. Cambridge University Press, 1994.
• P M Attiwill and G W Leeper, Forest Soils and Nutrient Cycles. Melbourne University Press, 1987.