Ecology of Urban Landscapes

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Either:

OR

and an additional 25 points of 200 level subjects.

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/. Email: disability-liaison@unimelb.edu.au

Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in an increasingly urbanised world. This subject will introduce students to urban ecology and landscape ecology concepts and illustrate how they can be applied to plan and design more ecologically sustainable human landscapes. Topics include the concept of scale in ecology, land transformation and habitat fragmentation, the structure and components of landscapes, patterns and processes along urban-rural gradients, the impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity and strategies to mitigate them.

Upon completion of the course students should be able to

• Characterise the components of landscapes
• Outline the causes and consequences of land transformation and habitat fragmentation
• Understand the processes that operate in landscapes and how urbanisation may affect them
• Discuss implications of ecological principles for planning and design of sustainable urban landscapes

• Major Assignment. Written report suggesting and analysing measures to retrofit an urban area (visited on the field trip) for ecological sustainability (2500 words, weeks 8-12) (30%)
• Practical reports 750 words each (Weeks 3 and 6) (30%)
• Final Exam (1.5 hours, end of semester) (40%)

A reading pack will be prepared

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

• Bachelor of Arts
• 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.

• Ability to access and critically analyse published literature
• Ability to collect and analyse data
• Written and oral communication skills