Ecology in Changing Environments

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

One of

• 654-204 Ecology: Individuals and Populations (prior to 2009)
• 606-204 Ecology: Communities and Ecosystems (prior to 2009)

This subject provides students with an essential grounding for careers in ecology, environmental management and conservation. Its underlying theme is the relevance of ecological and evolutionary theory for understanding the distributions of species, their interactions, their life history characteristics and how these traits are impacted by changing environmental conditions. Topics include spatial ecology and metapopulations, climatic impacts on distribution and abundance, life history evolution and ecosystem stability and resilience.

An important focus of this subject is learning to read, understand, and critically evaluate relevant contemporary literature in ecology. Students should become practised at accessing scientific literature, through both electronic and traditional sources, and should gain experience with computer-based ecological modelling and simulations.

Written essay and short-answer assignment work totalling up to 3000 words due during the semester (40%); a 1-hour written examination held mid-semester (20%); a 2-hour written examination in the examination period (40%).

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

The subject builds upon existing generic skills, including an ability to assimilate and critically evaluate new knowledge within a scientific paradigm, and to communicate that knowledge to a broad audience.