James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2002

GE3403:03

*NOTE* Biogeography and Past Environments of Arid Australia

Townsville

HECS Band 2

168 contact hours. July block mode.

Available to level 3 students. Level 2 students accepted at discretion of lecturer.

Staff: Dr J Luly.

This subject is a field based intensive course which provides a practical introduction to the landscapes, ecology and environmental history of arid Australia. It emphasises the effects of long term environmental change on the development of arid zone landscapes and biota and contemporary issues in arid zone land management.

Learning Objectives:

  1. ecology and environments of arid Australia;
  2. appreciation of palaeoenvironmental record of Australia in general;
  3. time of development and impacts of aridity in Australia;
  4. interactions between people and the arid environment;
  5. issues fundamental to the ‘ecological sustainable’ management of arid Australia.

Assessment by examination (40%); oral presentation in field (10%); reflective notes (10%); essay (40%).