Outline

Overview

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

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	6cp of BIOL2X23 or BIOL2X30 or AGEN2001 or GEOS2X21 or AGEN2005 or BIOL2X09
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ENSY3003 or ENSY3002
Assumed knowledge ?	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
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Tina Louise Bell, tina.bell@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Small test	Quiz 1 Students will be tested on material presented in Weeks 1 and 2.	10%	Week 03 Due date: 15 Aug 2024 at 13:00 Closing date: 15 Aug 2024	In class, short answer
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Quiz 2 Students will be tested on material presented in Week 4	10%	Week 05 Due date: 29 Aug 2024 at 17:00 Closing date: 29 Aug 2024	In class, short answer
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Field Report Report on field activities	20%	Week 09 Due date: 27 Sep 2024 at 23:59	1000-1200 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Land Management Plan presentation Oral presentation of Land Management Plan	10%	Week 12 Due date: 24 Oct 2024 at 11:00	In class, group presentation
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Individual Land Management Plan Development of individual component of Land Management Plan	15%	Week 12 Due date: 25 Oct 2024 at 23:59	Ongoing assignment (Weeks 3-12)
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group Land Management Plan Development of group Land Management Plan	35%	Week 12 Due date: 31 Oct 2024 at 23:59	Ongoing (Weeks 3-12)
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Academic honesty is expected at all times. Assessment tasks must be submitted as hard copy, via Canvas, or in class as directed. When assessments are submitted via Canvas they will be subject to checking for originality by Turnitin. This is in accordance with University policies around educational integrity. Also in accordance with University policy, you will receive a grade and timely feedback for each piece of work submitted. This will help you gauge your progress in learning and level of current understanding.

You are responsible for understanding the University policy regarding assessment and examination, which can be found at Assessments Procedures.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Demonstrates an ability to independantly build knowledge from course material and develop policy and management plans in a multidisciplinary context. Is able to communicate and justify these ideas and perspectives to a high standard.
Distinction	75 - 84	Demonstrates an ability to build knowledge based upon course material and develop future management prescriptions in a multidisciplinary context.
Credit	65 - 74	Describes course material and is able to contextualise infromation to form opinions on future planning and management decisions.
Pass	50 - 64	Is able to describe course material as presented but demonstrates an inability to contextualise information or think independently.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

All assessment tasks have specified deadlines and marks will be deducted for late assignments at the rate of 5% per day. The daily penalty applies to regular working days, weekend days, and public holidays. If you are ill or have a valid reason to hand in an assignment late or feel that your overall performance may have been adversely affected, you may wish to apply for a Simple Extension or Special Consideration, depending on the type of assessment.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Vegetation classification and distribution	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	Vegetation classification and distribution	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Vegetation classification and distribution	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Land Management Plans	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Analytical measures of vegetation	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Analytical measures of vegetation	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Vegetation analysis	Field trip (16 hr)
Week 07	Vegetation disturbance	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Land Management Plans	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Mount Annan Botanic Gardens	Field trip (7 hr)
Week 09	Vegetation disturbance	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	Vegetation disturbance	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Vegetation disturbance	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	Land Management Plans	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 13	Land Management Plans	Workshop (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Unless otherwise stated, students are expected to attend at least 80% of timetabled Lecture/Tutorial, Workshop, and Fieldwork activities as defined in the unit of study outline. A student may fail this unit of study because of inadequate attendance.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit was not offered in 2023 but, based on student feedback from 2022, the timing of assessments for this unit have been reviewed to consider overall student workload. We are also attempting to make the field trip a little longer as requested.

Additional information

Additional costs

There may be a nominal charge for the 3-day field trip (e.g., $50 per night) to partially cover costs of transport, food, and accommodation.

Work, health and safety

Details about work, health and safety requirements for field trips will be provided in class, in field trip notes, and via Field Friendly, the administration and management tool used by the Faculty of Science.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BIOL3004: Plant Ecosystem Management

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect