220-411 Processes in Forest Ecosystems

This subject will cover the ecosystem processes that determine the distribution, diversity and productivity of forests and woodlands in south-eastern Australia The subject aims to provide a sound theoretical and practical understanding of the major ecological processes in forest ecosystems. A 3-day field trip and associated practical work will ensure that students obtain practical experience in state-of-the-art methods used to analyse ecosystem processes such as nutrient and carbon cycling. The subject will include:

• vegetation and soils of forest ecosystems of south-eastern Australia;

• practical experience in the quantitative analysis of forest biomass, nutrients, nutrient and carbon cycling;

• relationships between forest ecosystems and nutrient cycling;

• the dependence and delineation of forest ecosystems based on water availability;

• forests and their role in the hydrological cycle; and

• the relevance of forests and forest soils in the global carbon cycle.

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

References and resources for this subject will be made available through the University Library System and during lectures and practical sessions.

One major report (30% of final marks), an oral presentation (20% of final marks) and a 3-hour written examination (50% of final marks).