Ecological Restoration

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

During the pre-teaching period, students will be required to research and prepare an advanced draft of the first Assessment task, and read a journal article in preparation for a workshop.

There is a cost for one nights accommodation (~$40) associated with the main field trip in the second week of the subject.

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

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. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Ecological Restoration examines the principles and practices needed to restore terrestrial ecosystems in a range of modified landscapes from settled to agricultural to forested. Its focus is ecological, although consideration is also given to socio-economic factors that influence restoration programs. Lectures and field trips explore ecological principles and projects from site to landscape scales, encompassing biodiversity values and ecosystem services.

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

• Properties of degraded versus functioning ecosystems
• Need for ecological restoration (Australia and elsewhere)
• Types and goals of ecological restoration at site to landscape scales
• Planning, legislation, incentive schemes relevant to restoration of native systems
• Ecological restoration strategies and methods (including harnessing natural processes and planning for climate change)
• Indicators of ecosystem function and restoration success at different scales
• Benefits of ecological restoration

An assignment of maximum 1,250 words (25%; due at the end of the first week of the 2 week intensive.

A group project including oral presentation (30%; 3-4 per group; individual presentation for 10 minutes; due last day of the 2 week intensive.

An assignment of maximum 2,750 words (45%; due within 6 weeks of the end of the 2 week intensive.

None

• Rieger J, Stanley J, Traynor R (2014) Project Planning and Management for Ecological Restoration. Island Press, Washington, 324pp.
• Clewell AF, Aronson J (2013) Ecological Restoration. Principles, Values and Structure of an Emerging Profession. Island Press, Washington, 315pp.
• Allison SK (2012) Ecological Restoration and Environmental Change: Renewing Damaged Ecosystems. Routledge, Taylor and Francis, London and New York. 252pp.
• Hobbs RJ, Suding KN (2008) New Models of Ecosystem Dynamics and Restoration. Island Press, Washington, 353pp.
• Walker, L.R., Walker, J., Hobbs, R.J. (2007) Linking Restoration and Ecological Succession. Springer, New York, 190pp.
• Perrow MR, Davy AJ (Eds) (2002) Handbook of Ecological Restoration. Volume 1 Principles of Restoration. Cambridge University Press. 444pp.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.