BZ2450:03
Plants and Animals of Tropical Australia
| Cairns | HECS Band 2 |
26 hours lectures, 48 hours field trips. Semester 1 and 2.
Staff: Mr G Werren.
This subject introduces the distinctive and unique floristic and faunal elements of tropical Australia. Faunal elements include particularly the monotremes, marsupials, birds, reptiles, frogs and freshwater fishes. It will provide an understanding of the evolution and significance of some major plant species found in the tropics, with examples from ferns, cycads, conifers and angiosperms. Co-evolving plant-animal interactions such as the development of pollination and dispersal systems are also explored. The subject will provide an overview of the rationale for the World Heritage status of the rainforests of northern Queensland.
Learning Objectives:
- develop an understanding of the origins and evolution of the major plant families, dominant genera, diagnostic species and vegetation structural types of tropical Australia;
- acquire a broad understanding of the corresponding evolution of a distinctive Australian fauna and representation of the dominant components, including functional guilds, in the Australian tropics;
- promote a familiarity with the co-evolving plant-animal interactions, such as pollination and dispersal systems, that typify the northern Australian biota;
- provide for an appreciation of tropical biodiversity and its conservation;
- develop a competency in basic biological literacy, oral and written communication skills.
Assessment by major essay (25%); field trip report (25%); quiz-short examination (10%); end-of-semester examination (40%).