Forests in the Asia Pacific Region

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

This subject is taught intensively (internationally) from 16-27 November 2015. International field tour subject.

Please note that this subject has a pre-teaching period and during this time students will be required to read 'essential readings' provided and complete first assignment of 1500 words.

There is also a post-intensive/travel period from 1/12/15 - 26/01/16 to complete the main assignment of 3000 words.

An enrolment quota of 28 students applies to this subject. For detailed information on the quota subject application process, refer to the Quota Subject link on the Science Student Centre website: http://studentcentre.unimelb.edu.au/eastern/subject_information/quota_subjects

170 hours.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/ students email: disability-liaison@unimelb.edu.au

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% due 15 November 2015, field tour journal 20% due 4 December 2015, field tour group work 10%, major assignment (3000 words) 50% due 27 January 2016.

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.