Forest Health

This subject is not offered in 2011.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject covers the ecology, impact and management of insect pests and pathogens in forests, woodlands, plantations and urban environments. An understanding of the dynamics of pest and pathogen populations is essential in order to determine the risk they pose and to determine appropriate management actions. The increasing globalisation of trade also requires a thorough understanding of biosecurity protocols for the protection of trees in the landscape from exotic incursions and for maintaining overseas access for timber-based products.

At the completion of this subject, participants should be able to:

• Define and recognise major insect pests and pathogens within forests, woodlands, plantations and the urban environment;
• Recognise and distinguish factors that predispose forests and plantations to insect pest and disease outbreaks;
• Propose and develop models to predict economic impacts of outbreaks;
• Design strategies to prevent and manage outbreaks;
• Design and evaluate forest health surveillance programs that monitor pest levels and meet certification standards;
• Recognise and understand biodiversity issues in relation to overall pest management issues;
• Recognise the fundamentals of national and international forest health biosecurity framework and the importance of quarantine to trade for maintaining market access for forest products.

Several small daily "quizzes" - 20%, Literature review assignment (2000 words) - 30%, Major assignment (3500 words) - 50%.

Elliott, H.J., Ohmart, C.P. and Wylie, F.R. (1998). Insect pests of Australian Forests: Ecology and Management. Inkata Press Melbourne

Brown J.F. and Ogle H.J. (1997) Plant Pathogens and Plant Disease. Rockvale Publications.

Keane, P.J., Kile, G.A., Podger, F.D. & Brown B.N. (2000) Diseases and Pathogens of Eucalypts. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.