| Effective Term: | 2024/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability |
| Unit Title: | Ecosystems Conservation and Management |
| Unit ID: | SCENV3800 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (SCENV2200 or SCENV2500) |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 019999 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
The rapid and ongoing modification and degradation of habitat and natural ecosystems is a global issue. In order to appropriately conserve and manage ecosystems to ensure their resilience to withstand further change we must understand their underlying patterns, processes and dynamics. The question of how and where to allocate conservation resources is complex and challenging. This unit explores in detail some of the current thinking and theoretical frameworks that underpin ecosystem conservation and management, including island biogeography, the SLOSS concept, landscape ecology, indigenous land management and ecosystem resilience. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | |  | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Students undertaking this unit are expected to be able to demonstrate the following knowledge and skills. |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Evaluate the nature of ecosystems and the associated ecological theories that underpin their conservation and management. |
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| K2. | Appraise key global issues that affect ecosystem conservation and management. |
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| K3. | Express reasoned opinions regarding contemporary approaches to ecosystem conservation and management. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Examine, critically evaluate and synthesise published and other information that considers ecosystem conservation and management. |
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| S2. | Determine appropriate actions and approaches to address ecosystem conservation and management. |
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| S3. | Develop skills in critically assessing conservation plans. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Apply ecological theory to conservation and management planning scenarios. |
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| A2. | Evaluate various issues which can affect ecosystem conservation and management and apply knowledge to recommend conservation and management strategies. |
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| A3. | Use knowledge of ecosystem function and conservation management to evaluate or develop conservation plans |
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| Unit Content: |
The content in this unit explores in detail approaches to ecosystem conservation and management that promotes ecological resilience. The current thinking, theories and paradigms underpinning ecosystem conservation and management are considered, including landscape ecology, island biogeography, indigenous land management and ecosystem-scale conservation approaches.
•Island biogeography applications.
•Landscape ecology.
•Ecosystem resilience.
•Comprehensive, adequate and representative conservation management.
•Indigenous land management.
•Ecosystem-scale conservation in action. |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | Learning outcomes
(KSA) | Assessment task
(AT#) | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | K2, K3, A2 | AT1, AT2, AT3 | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | S2, A1, A2, A3 | AT1, AT2, AT3 | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3 | AT1, AT2, AT3 | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Not applicable | Not applicable | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3 | AT1, AT2, AT3 |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1, A2 | Tutorial discussions based on theoretical and practical aspects of ecosystem conservation and management described in the published literature or other media. | Tutorial discussions and associated freewrites and reflections | 20-40% | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3 | Critically review an existing conservation management plan including justified recommendations for change | Major assignment | 20-40% | | 3. | K1, K2, S1, S2, A1, A2 | Demonstration, application and interpretation of knowledge and skills. | End of semester test | 30-40% |
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