606-204 Ecology: Communities and Ecosystems

Biology 600-141 and 600-142; or geography 121-012 and 121-013.

By successully completing this subject, students should gain:

• understanding of the concept of ecological communities, ecosystems and landscapes;

• knowledge of field sampling and techniques;

• appreciation of the roles of natural and human disturbances in ecological systems;

• understanding of the approaches to management at these ecological scales; and

• ability to synthesis, interpret and discuss current scientific literature.

In the practical component students should:

• develop an understanding of the ways in which ecological research is carried out; and

• gain an appreciation of the field sampling techniques and the role and usefulness of models, including mathematical models in ecology.

The subject provides and introduction to ecological questions that can be addressed at the levels of communities and ecosystems.

Topics include measurement of ecological systems at the level of food web, community, ecosystem and landscape; trophic interactions and resource partitioning; disturbance and ecological succession; nutrient cycling and energetics; palaeoecology; and management of human activities.

One 2-hour end-of-semester written examination; up to 15 pages of practical and excursion reports; continuous assessment of practical exercises and laboratory problems.