| 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:No |
| Supplementary assessment is not available to students who gain a fail in this Unit. |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | |  | | | |
|
| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Evaluate the nature of ecosystems and the associated ecological theories that underpin their conservation and management. |
|
| K2. | Appraise key global issues that affect ecosystem conservation and management. |
|
| K3. | Express reasoned opinions regarding contemporary approaches to ecosystem conservation and management. |
|
| Skills: |
| S1. | Examine, critically evaluate and synthesise published and other information that considers ecosystem conservation and management. |
|
| S2. | Determine appropriate actions and approaches to address ecosystem conservation and management. |
|
| S3. | Develop skills in critically assessing conservation plans. |
|
| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Apply ecological theory to conservation and management planning scenarios. |
|
| A2. | Evaluate various issues which can affect ecosystem conservation and management and apply knowledge to recommend conservation and management strategies. |
|
| A3. | Use knowledge of ecosystem function and conservation management to evaluate or develop conservation plans |
|
| 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: |
| | 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% |
|