BIO3111 - Ecological applications - 2017

Ecological knowledge needs to be incorporated in many areas of application, including natural resource management, invasive species responses, and biodiversity and conservation. The unit will focus on teaching core skills in applied ecology that should inform any management process. There is less emphasis on policy and legislative issues, except where they directly affect management decisions. The unit will focus on a range of issues that are of current importance in both academic research areas and also in important new policy developments in Victoria and in Australia generally. The practical component will consist of three projects that directly relate to the three lecture units within the unit.

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Explain the principles of landscape ecology;
2. Apply the adaptive management process in natural resource management;
3. Understand the need to cater for genetic variation and evolutionary potential;
4. Describe the links between natural resource management and the ecological theory on which it is based;
5. Evaluate management techniques, be familiar with the management options available to managers and decision-makers and be aware that management is conducted within a socio-economic framework;
6. Express informed opinions on the economic, ethical and political considerations of resource management.

Examination (2 hours): 60%

Practical reports (three, 10% each): 30%

Feedback assignments (five, 2% each): 10%

Two 1-hour lectures and 3 hours laboratory work per week

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Carly Cook

Ecology and conservation biology

Environmental science

Zoology

BIO2040 or BIO2042, and BIO2011, or permission