Undergraduate - UnitBIO3820 - Tropical terrestrial biology

This subject examines the biology of terrestrial tropical ecosystems. It focuses on South East Asia, the Malaysian region in particular, with its diverse habits including lowland dipterocarp forest, peat swamp forests, montane cloud forests, heath forests, limestone vegetation and karst with associated cave formations. In terms of biodiversity, the Indo-Malaysian region is one of the richest in the world, and factors influencing the high biodiversity will be examined. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of climate, nutrient cycling, disturbance, and forest dynamics, on the ecology of tropical plants and animals. Conservation and management issues such as conflicting land-use requirements, peat swamp drainage, logging and fire are discussed.