121-458 Australian Quaternary Environments

This subject is run as a 10-day intensive field trip, usually to either Tasmania or Queensland. A quota of 30 students applies to this subject. Students should contact the School Office for further details.

Students taking this subject should have already completed 37.5 points at second/third year including at least one of the following: 121-433 China Field Class, 121-310 Fluvial Geomorphology, 121-033 Environmental Hydrology A, 121-030 Applied Ecology, 121-231 Indigenous Peoples & Resource Management, 121-021 Environmental Politics and Management, 121-018 Geomorphology, 121-071 Coastal Geomorphology, 654-204 Ecology: Individuals and Populations, 606-204 Ecology: Communities and Ecosystems, 654-308 Conservation Biology, 606-207 Flora of Victoria, 606-301 Applied Ecology (Theory), 606-310 Field Botany, 625-223 Field Geology, 625-313 Advanced Field Geology, 625-332 Climate: Mechanisms & Variability, 107-007 Prehistoric Archaeology, 107-232 Interpreting the Past, 202-201 Plant Function, 202-203 Soil and Water Resources, 220-307 Fire Ecology and Management, 207-202 Australian Flora or relevant subjects in consultation with the subject coordinator.

The Quaternary encompasses the past 2.5 million years of earth and human history. In this subject students will encounter topics such as climate changes, dating methods, glacial/interglacial cycles, sea level changes and associated biotic responses, palynology, the effects of hunter-gatherers on the environment, Quaternary geomorphology, and the development of modern landscapes. On completion of the subject students should be familiar with aspect of the Quaternary such as the major forces which have driven environmental change; the processes which operated to shape physical landscapes; the nature of anthropogenic impacts on landscapes. Students should acquire field and laboratory skills in palaeoenvironmental methods; in Quaternary geomorphological methods; and methods to analyse and reconstruct past environments.

• have gained skills in the oral presentation of information and ideas to a small audience;

• demonstrate advanced research and presentation skills;

• engage effectively with others in field situations;

• work independently;

• write concise reports or essays.

An assignment of 4000 words for 3rd year and 5000 words for 4th year 50% (due on the last day of semester) and a field report and exercises totalling 4000 words for 3rd year and 5000 words for 4th year 50% (due on the last day of semester). Students must attend at least 80% of scheduled practical classes to be eligible to pass this subject.