Analysing Ecosystems and Their Values (ENST90044)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Terrestrial ecosystems provide a wide range of values—from biodiversity and carbon storage to clean water and recreational opportunities in interaction with social systems. Managing ecosystems to sustain these values requires understanding what values exist in a given ecosystem, their interactions with society and how they change over time and space. However, natural ecosystems and the social context within which they are embedded are inherently variable across scales—capturing the many ecosystem values presents a significant challenge. This unit will explore the principles of, and approaches to, ecosystem assessment and monitoring across both the biophysical and social domains. We will focus on developing practical skills in the design of social and biophysical assessments, data collection and the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data associated with natural resources and their management. Example assessment approaches include ecological monitoring, forest inventory, stakeholder analysis, participatory mapping and value-based conversations, among many others. We will draw on examples from a range of ecosystems around the world.
This subject will involve practicals and a three-day, pre-semester field trip.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Understand the key principles of ecosystem monitoring and assessment;
- Critically analyse existing ecosystem monitoring and assessment programs;
- Develop a robust design for quantitative and qualitative assessment of ecosystem values and related social values and practices for a case-study scenario;
- Understand different approaches and techniques/tools for conducting ecosystem assessments;
- Apply a range of standard equipment and techniques for conducting quantitative and qualitative ecosystem assessments;
- Select, undertake, and interpret output from basic statistical and qualitative analyses of biophysical and social data;
- Produce a basic report assessing a range of values for a specific ecosystem and its stakeholders and describing the uncertainties associated with their measurement.
- Integrate social and ecological data from multiple sources to identify system interactions and management issues; and
Generic skills
- Project development and management
- Critical thinking (problem definition, analysis and synthesis)
- Data analysis
- Report writing
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Ecosystem Assessment and Monitoring Project (semester-long, submitted during examination period) (2000 words) (40%)
| During the examination period | 40% |
Practical Reports (due fortnightly in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12) (500 words each x 6 = 3000 words) (60%)
| Throughout the semester | 60% |
Additional details
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Patrick Baker Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 4 hrs of practicals per weeks = 48 hrs 3-day pre-semester field trip (@8 hrs per day) = 24 hrs Total Contact Hours = 72 hrs Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 February 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019
Time commitment details
Reading and preparation for lectures: 3 hrs per week = 36 hrs Preparation for assessments: 5 hrs per week = 60 hrs Additional Time Commitments = 96 hrs
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Bolker B. 2008. Ecological Models and Data in R. Princeton University Press.
Hilborn R, Mangel M. 1997. The Ecological Detective: Confronting Models with Data. Princeton University Press.
Example journal article:
Dobbs C, Kendal, D, Nitschke CR 2014. Multiple ecosystem services and disservices of the urban forest: Establishing their connections with landscape structure and socio-demographics. Ecological Indicators. 43, pp 44-55.
- Subject notes
- Incidental costs
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Forest Ecosystem Science Major Sustainable Forests Major Sustainable Forests Major Conservation and Restoration - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022