Forests in the Asia Pacific Region

This subject is not offered in 2014.

160 hours.

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/

The Asia Pacific region is of crucial importance to Australia and to the future management of global forest resources. The region has over half the world’s population and countries with the fastest growing populations and economies. This is placing increased demand on forest resources in the region and elsewhere. There are extensive spiritual and cultural associations between people and forests in this region and an extensive history of forest use and development. In this subject students experience the diversity of connections between forests and people in Laos and Vietnam to illustrate the importance of forests to local and national development, and contemporary forest policy and management challenges in the region. The program includes policy briefings and site visits to conservation and production forests, local village forests, hydropower and plantation development projects and small- and large-scale forest industries.

At the completion of this subject students will have an advanced understanding of:

• The forest ecosystems of the SE Asia and their role in human development
• Forest management and governance systems for different parts of the Asia Pacific region
• Current issues and future trends in forest policy and management in the Region

Pre-tour reading assignment (1500 words) 20%, field tour journal 20%, field tour group work 10%, major assignment (3000 words) 50%

It is a hurdle requirement that students must attend the field trip.

Leslie, RN (ed.), The Future of Forests in the Asia Pacific: Outlook for 2020. UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, Bangkok.

Also available online at http://www.fao.org/docrep/011/i0627e/i0627e00.htm

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Please note that this is a quota subject. Students will need to fill out the quota subject application form found on the MSLE website (http://go.unimelb.edu.au/5o6n) and send it back to the MSLE Student Centre in Parkville before the due date listed on the form. A limited number of students will be selected for this subject on the basis of academic merit, subject to meeting the subject’s prerequisites or by demonstrating other appropriate qualifications for selection. Students will be advised in writing of the outcome of their application.