Ecology, environment and human populations
Dr Alan Lill
8 points * 7 hours per week * First semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: none
After an exposition of the basic principles of biogeography and ecology, the origin of humans and the factors that have contributed to human dominance on earth are examined. The following topics are discussed: origin of life, Pre-Cambrian life; plate tectonics and continental drift, uniqueness of Australian biota, climatic change, extinction; the properties of populations, communities and ecosystems; competition, mutualism and predation; human origins; human demography, population growth, age/sex structure, birth and death rates; origins of agriculture and domestication of plants and animals; human use of plants from marine and inland waters; ecology of Aboriginal peoples. Three lectures and four hours practical per week.
Assessment
Examinations (2 hours): 50% * Practical work - continuous assessment: 50%