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Analysing Ecosystems and Their Values (ENST90044)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1 (Early-Start)
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 (Early-Start) - Dual-Delivery |
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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:
- Describe 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;
- Discuss 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; and
- Integrate social and ecological data from multiple sources to identify system interactions and management issues.
Generic skills
In addition to learning specific skills that will assist students in their future careers in science, they will have the opportunity to develop generic skills that will assist them in any future career path. These include:
- Project development and management
- Critical thinking (problem definition, analysis and synthesis)
- Data analysis
- Report writing
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
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% |
Ecosystem Assessment and Monitoring Project (semester-long, submitted during examination period) (2000 words) (40%)
| During the examination period | 40% |
Additional details
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1 (Early-Start)
Principal coordinator Luke Kelly Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Total Contact Hours = 72 hrs 4 hrs of practicals per weeks = 48 hrs 3-day pre-semester field trip (@8 hrs per day) = 24 hrs Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 20 February 2023 to 28 May 2023 Last self-enrol date 3 March 2023 Census date 31 March 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2023 Assessment period ends 23 June 2023 Semester 1 (Early-Start) contact information
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
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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.
- Incidental costs
Students maybe asked to contribute to food and expenses while in the field.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Ecosystem Management and Conservation Major Sustainable Forests Major Conservation and Restoration Major Sustainable Forests - 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.
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
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024