Forests, Carbon and Climate Change

Subject FRST90032 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

June, Creswick - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start 30-May-2016
Teaching Period 14-Jun-2016 to 24-Jun-2016
Assessment Period End 14-Aug-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 02-Jun-2016
Census Date 17-Jun-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 22-Jul-2016

Please note that this subject has a pre-teaching period and during this time students will be required to read the article "Man made world" by Andrew Charlton (Quarterly Essay 44, 2011).



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 60 hours lectures and practical work, delivered in a two-week intensive teaching block’
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

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

Coordinator

Prof Stefan Arndt

Contact

sarndt@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject will investigate the role of forests in the carbon cycle and in a changing climate. Students will learn the scientific basis for climate change and the impact that a changing climate might have on tree physiology and forest ecology. We will discuss the role forests play in the global carbon cycle and the degree to which forests or plantations can be used as a carbon sequestration option. We will evaluate the requirements for forest carbon accounting and will apply carbon accounting tools in hands-on accounting sessions with industry partners. This scientific understanding will be extended to discuss policy instruments under consideration in Australia and in the international arena for the potential role of forests in carbon emissions trading. The subject will equip students with state-of-the-art knowledge on the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems and with practical experiences in forest carbon accounting.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this subject students should:

  • Be well informed in the international and national context of climate change science as it relates to forests
  • Understand the response of forests to changing climate
  • Be well informed on the role of forests in carbon sequestration and emissions trading
Assessment:

Daily Quizzes during the intensive teaching period - 10%

Oral presentation (10 min) toward the end of the intensive teaching period - 25%

Written assignment (3000 words) due 6 weeks after Intensive ends - 65%

Prescribed Texts:

None

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Links to further information: http://graduate.science.unimelb.edu.au/master-of-forest-ecosystem-science
Related Course(s): Graduate Diploma in Bushfire Planning and Management
Master of Forest Ecosystem Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Climate Change
Climate Change
Conservation and Restoration
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Master of Science (Ecosystem Science) - Discipline Elective subjects
Sustainable Forests
Sustainable Forests
Tailored Specialisation
Tailored Specialisation

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