Biogeography and Ecology of Fire (GEOG90027)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Off Campus
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | Summer Term - Off Campus |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Fire is one of the most important controls over the distribution of vegetation on Earth. This subject examines the role of fire in natural systems, with a particular emphasis on the importance of fire in determining global vegetation patterns and dynamics over long periods of time. The aim is to understand how terrestrial systems have evolved to cope with and exploit fire, and to place the extreme flammability of Australia's vegetation within a global context. The subject will examine concepts such as resilience, positive feedback loops, hysteresis and alternative stable states. The use of fire by humans to manipulate environments will be examined, with a particular emphasis on the variety of approaches employed by people across a diversity of environments over long periods of time, allowing an exploration of the social and cultural dynamics of fire and environmental management. A March field excursion in Tasmania will visit a number of sites which will exemplify the subject themes. The practical exercises leading up to the field trip will focus on how to gather fire-related ecological data. The practical exercises following the field trip will be devoted to processing, analysing, interpreting and reporting on the field data. At the end of the subject, students will have gained an understanding of the way in which fire has shaped natural systems, as well as acquiring the skills necessary to formulate and test hypotheses.
The estimated additional cost of the 7 day field trip to Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, is in the vicinity of $750.
More information about this subject's field trip can be found here: https://sgeas.unimelb.edu.au/research/palynology-palaeoecology-and-biogeography#teaching
Intended learning outcomes
At the completion of this subject, students will have achieved the following objectives
- An understanding of the causes and consequences of fire in terrestrial systems;
- An understanding of the specific adaptations that plants and animals have evolved to cope with fire;
- An ability to generate and test ecological hypotheses, design in-field ecological experiments and gather data to address specific hypotheses;
- Familiarity with the key literature and current debates on fire-ecology;
- An understanding of how the current global warming debate fits into the longer-term perspective.
Generic skills
- ability to conduct library searches to source the latest relevant literature on key topic areas;
- ability to comprehend some of the current debates in the field;
- software skills, such as Excel and more specialised software, such as ecological ordination software and R;
- basic introduction to plant identification, ecological data acquisition and analysis;
- field skills, especially an ability to design and execute controlled field experiments;
- data interpretation skills, informed by the relevant literature;
- group field and research activities.
Last updated: 8 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOG30025 | Biogeography and Ecology of Fire | Summer Term (Off Campus) |
12.5 |
Recommended background knowledge
Some background in Ecology, Physical Geography and/or Earth Science is strongly recommended. Students are normally expected to have completed one or more 3 rd yr physical geography, biology and/or earth science subjects. Interested students should contact the coordinator for advice.
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: 8 April 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Four online reading assignments due during last two weeks of February
| Early term | 10% |
Field Journal due at end of the field trip
| Early term | 25% |
Individual report based on the analysis of field data due at the end of February
| Early term | 50% |
Group presentation due in the last week of February
| Early term | 15% |
Attendance at laboratory sessions (students must attend a minimum of 90% of these sessions)
| Early term | 0% |
Last updated: 8 April 2025
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Summer Term - Off Campus
Coordinator Michael-Shawn Fletcher Mode of delivery Off Campus Contact hours 2 x 2-hour pre-trip lectures, 7-day field trip, 7 x 2-hr practical classes, 1 x 2-hour workshop. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 16 January 2025 to 14 February 2025 Last self-enrol date 29 November 2024 Census date 7 February 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 February 2025 Assessment period ends 14 March 2025 Summer Term contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
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.
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 30 students (in undergraduate and post-graduate offering) applies to this subject. For detailed information on the quota subject application process, enrolment deadlines and selection preferences, refer to the Faculty of Science website: http://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/course-planning-and-advice
The estimated additional cost of the 7 day field trip is in the vicinity of $750. The field trip to Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, will take place in January.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory and field activities. Students undertake field trip experiences that will require them to be physically capable of undertaking outdoor field work in remote locations.
Last updated: 8 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
- 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.
Additional information for this subject
Quota limit applied - UoM students will be given preference over CAP applicants
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 8 April 2025