Restoration Ecology
Subject 606-608 (2009)
Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook
| Credit Points: | 12.50 |
|---|---|
| Level: | 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate) |
| Dates & Locations: | This subject is not offered in 2009. |
| Time Commitment: | Contact Hours: 20 hours of lectures, 16 hours of practicals and 2.5 days of fieldtrips. Total Time Commitment: The subject is taught intensively over dates in the September mid-semester break. There are fieldtrips to visit urban waterways and an overnight fieldtrip to a gold mine at Stawell. |
| Prerequisites: | None |
| Corequisites: | None |
| Recommended Background Knowledge: | None |
| Non Allowed Subjects: | None |
| Core Participation Requirements: | It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit. |
| Subject Overview: |
This subject aims to introduce students to the field of restoration ecology through an investigation of the properties and causes of degradation and/or contamination of land, waterways and wetlands under the influence of human activities, and the theory and practice of assessment and restoration of such systems.The subject examines two themes: Contamination and Degradation The origins and dimensions of derelict and contaminated land are considered, particularly sources of organic and inorganic contaminants, methods for the identification and quantification of pollutants and site and risk assessment strategies. Strategies for reinstatement of land is considered with specific reference to problems arising from base metal mining practices (mineral extraction, beneficiation and smelting) in both Australia and overseas, as well as consideration of other industrial and non-industrial examples of extreme substrata. Widely implemented practices for off-site and in-situ decontamination and reinstatement of land are compared and contrasted with novel and/or low-technological solutions using plants and ecological science. Restoration and Revegetation The practice of restoration and revegetation is explored using theoretical and applied knowledge. The origins, intent, theory and practices of restoration ecology are introduced. Critical examination of a range of strategies available and options for defining and measuring success are explored through specific reference to current practices. Site-specific examples (rural open-space, mine sites, rivers and wetlands) are provided.
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| Assessment: | A research essay of 3000 words (50%) and a field trip report of 2000 words (50%). |
| Prescribed Texts: | None |
| Breadth Options: | This subject is not available as a breadth subject. |
| Fees Information: | Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date |
| Notes: | It is expected that students will either be familiar with the computer program Microsoft Excel, or will be willing to learn to use Excel during the study program. |
| Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: |
R05 PE Master of Science (Environmental Science) |
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