BT5340 - Structure and Dynamics of Tropical Savannas
| Credit points: | 03 |
| Year: | 2007 |
| Student Contribution Band: | Band 2 |
| Administered by: | School of Marine & Tropical Biology |
Available to students enrolled for the degrees of MSc, MAppSc, BAppSc or Graduate Diplomas.
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 conjunction with BT3340 in the July vacation and more than half of the subject assessment will be completed during the 2 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.
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.
| Inadmissible Subject Combinations: | BT3340 |
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: |
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| Assessment: | presentations (50%); individual reports based on data collected on field trip; take home exam (30%); essays (20%). |
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.