Undergraduate - UnitATS2774 - Australian soil and vegetation dynamics

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Science
Organisational Unit	School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment
Offered	Clayton Second semester 2015 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Dr Vanessa Wong

Notes

Previously coded GES2130

Synopsis

Soils and vegetation are intimately related components of the natural environment which are critical to the development, maintenance and functioning of ecosystems. The soils and vegetation of Australia are quite different from those in other parts of the world as a result of their evolution in isolation and the distinct climatic and geological history of the continent. Lectures in this unit focus on the description, classification and historical development of Australian soils and vegetation as a basis for their conservation and management. The practical side of the unit is designed to develop students' familiarity with key vegetation and soil types in south-eastern Australia and their analysis.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will have gained:

practical, hands-on experience in the field description and laboratory analysis of vegetation and soils;
the ability to identify key soil-forming materials and processes;
the ability to explain the role of plants and vegetation in ecosystem functioning;
the capacity to analyse interactions between Australia's unique soils and vegetation and to apply this knowledge to the future conservation and management of these resources.

Assessment

Within semester assessment: 60%
Exam: 40%

Workload requirements

Two 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour practical per week, and one 2-day field trip in the semester

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Vanessa Wong

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Geographical science
Human geography

Prohibitions

GES2170