James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2020

EV5968 - Tools for Resource Assessment - Ridge to Reef

Available to students in the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Ridge to Reef Sustainable Development only.

Subject Description

The Tools for Resource Assessment unit will cover the theory and use of the resources assessment tools introduced in the R2R unit in the Postgraduate Certificate in considerably more detail, as well as introducing a variety of additional, specialised resource assessment tools. This unit has a deeper quantitative focus than the R2R Postgraduate Certificate unit, and will cover methods for the design, implementation and analysis of baseline assessments and monitoring surveys in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, GIS, remote sensing, habitat mapping, water quality surveys, and connectivity mapping. In addition, emphasis will be placed on linking resource assessment to monitoring and evaluation as intrinsically linked components. The potential and viability of using international tools and frameworks to handing local data streams and addressing locally relevant assessment needs will be assessed, and an understanding of how to make appropriate decisions about the appropriateness of particular tools will be developed.

Learning Outcomes

• apply relevant theories and concepts in the use of resource assessment tools
• critically examine and explain the methods for the design, implementation and analysis of baseline assessments and monitoring surveys in marine and terrestrial ecosystems
• Apply key practical tools and approaches including GIS, remote sensing, habitat mapping, water quality surveys, and connectivity mapping to R2R management
• develop specialised working knowledge and advanced comprehension of the main principles of how to make informed decisions about the appropriateness of particular tools

Subject Assessment

• - (50%)
• - (50%)

Note that 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.

Availabilities