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Unit of study_
BIOL3004: Plant Ecosystem Management
2025 unit information
Australian native vegetation is a unique resource for diversity, ecosystem services and public use. The objective of this unit is to provide a broad understanding of three major plant terrestrial ecosystems that are found across Australia: forests, heathlands and grasslands and how they are managed. While the focus will be on native plant systems in an Australian setting, their importance at a global level will also be discussed. You will develop an understanding of the characteristics of key plant ecosystems, including where they are found and their main ecophysiology features. Each of the ecosystems described has the potential to be affected (positively or negatively) by a range of natural and anthropogenic disturbances. They include fire, climate change (drought and temperature), changes in nutrient flows and more broadly human-induced disturbances such as logging, mining, urban development and agricultural management. The impact of these disturbances along with mitigation via conservation and associated management changes will also be covered. Finally, government policy around conservation/management of these ecosystems will be examined. At the completion of this unit you will have developed an understanding of the environmental and economic importance of forests, heathlands and grasslands, their vulnerability to a range of external factors and the extent that these can be mitigated.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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6 credit points of BIOL2X23 or BIOL2X30 or GEOS2X21 or BIOL2X09 |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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Students should have a basic understanding of plant biology, plant ecology and/or plant physiology. Some background knowledge in mathematics and chemistry would be beneficial |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Demonstrate sound knowledge of three major vegetation types in Australia – forests, heathlands, and grasslands
- LO2. Communicate the importance of nutrient balances on productivity and plant diversity in Australian ecosystems
- LO3. Explain the concept of ecosystem fluxes and how they can be quantified at a range of scales
- LO4. Measure and analyse environmental variables and integrate these measures to describe ecosystem functioning
- LO5. Review the range of ways that humans interact both positively and negatively with forests, heathlands, and grasslands
- LO6. Plan management responses for a given vegetation type subjected to one or more natural and human-induced disturbances
- LO7. Combine knowledge of climate and landscapes, the ecology of biota, land use management, and social and political constraints to evaluate current land management strategies and outcomes
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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