Ecology, Soil and Plants

Subject HORT10008 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 2, Burnley - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Twenty-four hours lectures, 36 hours tutorials, laboratory work and/or field trips
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Recommended Background Knowledge: N/A
Non Allowed Subjects: N/A
Core Participation Requirements:

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/

Coordinator

Ms Kirsten Raynor

Contact

Melbourne School of Land & Environment Student Centre
Ground Floor, Land & Food Resources (building 142)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject will describe the relationship between plant growth and the environment in which plants grow. Particular attention will be given to the ecology of plants and to the effect of soil conditions on plant growth. Where appropriate, the consequences of these relationships for horticultural plant management will be described. Specific content will include: soil composition, soil texture and structure, soil water and aeration, behaviour and management of plant nutrients elements in soil, manipulation of nutrient ­levels, assessment of plant and soil nutrient status, definition of ecology, populations, communities, ecosystems, homoeostasis, energy flow, trophic structures, Australian plant communities, environmental factors, fire and human impact on vegetation.

Objectives:

This subject aims to provide students with an understanding of the ecological processes that influence horticultural operations, from micro to global scales, and to explore how ecological principles can be used in practice when designing human landscapes.

Assessment:

The assesment in this subject comprises:

• One 2,500 word report (20%);
• Mid-semester exam (30%);
• Practical reports (10%); and
• Final semester exam (40%).

Prescribed Texts:

Ecology:

Knox, B., Ladiges, P., Saint, R. and Evans, T. (2009), Biology: an Australian focus, (4th Edition), McGraw-Hill.

Soils:

Handreck, K. and Black, N. (2002), Growing Media for Ornamental Plants and Turf, (3rd Edition), UNSWP.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

• Development of capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning;
• Identification and description of the biophysical resources of soils, plants and ecosystems;
• An ability to derive, interpret and analyse ecological and soil and water related information from primary sources;
• An ability to integrate information to solve problems in applied ecological and soil related situations; and
• Development of written communication skills to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community.

Related Course(s): Associate Degree in Environmental Horticulture

Download PDF version.