BT3340 - Structure and Dynamics of Tropical Savannas

Credit points:	03
Year:	2007
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

This subject introduces students to the population and community ecology of the vegetation of the semiarid tropical savanna lands of northeastern Australia. The subject is based on introductory lectures and practical classes in Townsville and on field work while camping in the Charters Towers - Hughenden region. The fieldwork will be carried out on private grazing land, on public land, and on National Parks that demonstrate many aspects of the principles controlling the distribution patterns of plants and plant communities in tropical savannas. The subject runs in the July vacation and 60% of the subject assessment will be completed during the two weeks duration of the intensive subject; shared data generated by small group activities in the field will provide the basis for 2 assignments to be completed subsequently.

Learning Outcomes

• to gain an understanding of the floristics, physiognomy, ecological adaptations and land management issues of a variety of tropical plant communities, particularly savanna woodlands, grasslands and vine thickets;
• to learn and apply field survey techniques involved in investigating some of the factors governing the distribution of these communities. Aspects covered will include soils, fire ecology, woody weeds and grazing;
• to learn how to work as part of a research team.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to calculate, produce, interpret and communicate numerical information;
• A coherent and disciplined body of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics in at least one discipline area.

Prerequisites:	12 units of Level 2 biology or environmental studies subjects, or permission of course coordinator.
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	BT5340

Availabilities
Townsville, Block, Study Period 7
Census Date 20-Jul-2007
Face to face teaching 16-Jul-2007 to 27-Jul-2007
Coordinator:	Assoc. Professor Ross Coventry
Lecturers:	Assoc. Professor Betsy Jackes, Mr Christopher Gardiner, Assoc. Professor Ross Coventry.
Contact hours:	16 hours lectures 8 hours tutorials 11 hours practicals 6 days fieldwork
Assessment:	herbarium of plant specimens collected on the field trip; a group presentation on one of the field trip exercises; one seminar in powerpoint format (50%); take home class test; field reports on two of the field exercises (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.