207-113 Australian Rural Landscapes

The forests, farmlands, urban areas and reserves of the Australian rural landscape are the result of natural and human history acting on a unique biophysical base. Their management requires appreciation of this history, understanding of the individual components, and recognition of how they interact and are interdependent.

Students will be introduced to different land uses and their impacts, and will gain an insight into the perspectives and interests of landowners, community and industry. An introduction to current management approaches, including forest and catchment management planning and community participation, will highlight holistic approaches to landscape management.

The subject's content will include:

• an introduction to Australian biophysical resources, vegetation and climate;

• the human story including the history of aboriginal management, European settlement and forest use, and the development of modern land-use systems;

• the distribution and composition of forest, woodland and grassland ecosystems as a reflection of biophysical resources, climate, fire patterns and human history;

• determinants of the pattern of development and location of agricultural and forest enterprises in Australia;

• the contribution of natural and cultured landscapes to Australia's society and economy;

• sustainability and conservation of forests, soil, water and biodiversity; and

• the role of the conservation movement, local communities and industry in decision-making.

One 2-hour examination (50% of final marks), one major assignment task based on the field practicals (20% of final marks), and up to three short assignments (totalling 30% of final marks).

• J B Kirkpatrick, A Continent Transformed: Human Impact on the Natural Vegetation of Australia. Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1999.
• L R Malcolm, P Sale, and A Egan, Agriculture in Australia: An Introduction. Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1996.
• N F Barr, and J W Cary, Greening a Brown Land: An Australian Search for Sustainable Land Use. Macmillan, Melbourne, 1992.