GES1020

Australian physical environments: evolution, status and management

Dr David Dunkerley, Dr John Grindrod and Associate Professor Nigel Tapper

6 points
* 4 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives On successful completion of this subject students should be familiar with major ideas concerning the evolution of the Australian landscape, its biota and climate patterns; be aware of competing ideas and theories in the relevant literature; be able to synthesise and interpret relevant material and to communicate ideas to others in a coherent manner, either by written or verbal means; be familiar and proficient with some simple techniques for analysing basic geographic and physical environmental information; appreciate the importance of field work in studying the natural environment, and the problems associated with making field measurements of natural phenomena.

Synopsis This subject focuses on the Australian region. It is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of the basic landscape, vegetation and climate characteristics of this region, as a foundation for more advanced study in geography and in related disciplines. The subject adopts an evolutionary perspective, and seeks to explain present patterns of landform, soil, biota and climate through an understanding of past environments and events. Throughout the subject, the focus on change is carried over into discussions of future management issues in the Australian environment, where again the historical and evolutionary perspective is valuable. Links between events in the Australian region and global processes (such as global tectonic events or change in the planetary environment) are highlighted so that the broader context of our region is also introduced. It is hoped that a weekend field camp will be offered as a component of the subject instruction.

Assessment Written (2000 words): 40%
* Examinations (2 hours): 40%
* Practical and fieldwork reports: 20%

Recommended texts

Condie K Plate tectonics and crustal evolution Pergamon, 1982
Groves R H (ed.) Australian vegetation CUP, 1981
Henderson-Sellers A and Robinson P J Contemporary climatology Longman, 1986
Jeans D N (ed.) Australia: A geography vol. 1, The natural environment 2nd edn, Sydney U P, 1986
Marsh W M and Dozier J Landscape Addison- Wesley, 1981
Recher H F and others A natural legacy: Ecology in Australia 2nd edn, Pergamon, 1986
Sturman A P and Tapper N J The weather and climate of Australia and New Zealand OUP, 1996
Tapper N J and Hurry L Australian weather patterns: An introductory guide Dellasta, 1993
Van Andel T H New views on an old planet: Continental drift and the history of the earth CUP, 1985
Williams M A J and others Quaternary environments Edward Arnold, 1993