BZ3420:03
Tropical Ecosystems
Cairns
26 lectures, 40 hours practicals, 4 day field trip. First semester.
Staff: Dr P Franks.
This subject provides an overview of ecosystem processes and structural components, with an emphasis on tropical ecosystems. Rainforest, fresh water, estuarine, marine, savanna and arid ecosystems will be studied. Major topics will include the flow of matter and energy, nutrient cycles, productivity, physical structure, biotic interactions and disturbance.
Learning Objectives:
- to understand the levels of integration of organisms and environment in ecosystems;
- to understand the physical processes of ecosystems on local and global scales;
- to understand patterns of change in ecosystems.
Assessment by examination (60%); on-course assessment (40%).
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