REN8202 Conservation for Sustainable Futures

REN	8202	67026	2, 2007	EXT	Conservation for Sustainable Futures	1.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOSCI
Academic org:	FOS002
Student contribution band:	2
ASCED code:	050999

Staffing
Rationale
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Martine Maron
Moderator: Andrew Le Brocque

RATIONALE

Sustainable management of the earth's natural resources and the conservation of organisms, habitats and ecosystems require knowledge of biodiversity, ecological systems and processes, conservation principles and the effects of human activities. This course aims to provide an understanding of the fundamentals of ecological theory and practice and an overview of human impacts on ecological systems and processes.

SYNOPSIS

Ecology and conservation are closely related scientific disciplines that explore the very nature of life in terms of the distribution and abundance of organisms and interactions between organisms and their environment (ecology), and the diversity, scarcity and conservation of species, communities and ecosystems (conservation). This course provides a comprehensive survey of general ecological concepts and principles relevant to the sustainable management of the environment and an understanding of how ecological systems and processes have been impacted upon by human activities. The concept of biodiversity, mechanisms behind speciation and patterns in biodiversity, key threatening processes, and current issues in the conservation of biodiversity are examined. The course also examines concepts of pattern and processes in human-modified landscapes (including land transformation, habitat fragmentation, patch dynamics, conservation corridors and connectivity), implications for conservation and ecologically sustainable development.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

demonstrate an understanding of the nature of ecology and the scientific method within which it operates (Literature Review, Assignment, Exam);
demonstrate an understanding the basic principles and underlying concepts of ecology and how these may apply to environmental and sustainable resource management (Literature Review, Assignment, Exam);
demonstrate an understanding the nature and dynamics of ecological populations, communities and ecosystems (Literature Review, Assignment, Exam);
evaluate the impacts of human activities on ecological systems and processes (Literature Review, Assignment, Exam);
compare and evaluate the influence of major drivers of landscape pattern and change on ecological processes (Literature Review, Assignment, Exam);
assess and contrast threatening processes to global biodiversity (Literature Review, Assignment, Exam);
evaluate current and potential conservation problems in their region (Literature Review, Assignment, Exam);
integrate knowledge of biodiversity and conservation into environmental and resource management (Literature Review, Assignment, Exam);
critically analyse ecological information and data to provide informed decision-making in relation to resource management (Literature Review, Assignment, Exam).

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	The Nature of Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation Science	15.00
2.	Species, Population and Biotic Interactions	20.00
3.	Communities and Ecosystems	20.00
4.	Biodiversity & Conservation	22.00
5.	Landscapes, Connectivity and Fragmentation	23.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Krebs, CJ 2001, Ecology: the experimental analysis of distribution and abundance, 5th edn, Addison-Wesley, San Francisco.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Dodson SI, Allen TFH, Carpenter SR, Elliot K, Ives AR, Jeanne RL, Kitchel LJF, Langston NE, Turner M 1999, Readings in ecology, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Edwards PJ, May RM, & Webb NR 1994, Large scale ecology and conservation biology, Blackwell Science, London.

Groom, MJ, Meffe GK & Carroll, CR 2005, Principles of conservation biology, 3rd edn, Sinauer & Associates Inc.

Jeffries, MJ 1997, Biodiversity and conservation, Routledge, London.

Turner, MG, Gardner, RH & O'Neill, RV 2001, Landscape ecology in theory and practice: pattern and process, Springer-Verlag, New York.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Directed Study	80.00
Examinations	2.00
Private Study	84.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description	Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date
LITERATURE REVIEWS	10.00	10.00	24 Aug 2007
ASSIGNMENT 1	40.00	40.00	09 Oct 2007
2 HR CLOSED EXAMINATION	50.00	50.00	END S2	(see note 1)

NOTES

1.: Examination dates will be available during the Semester. Please refer to the examination timetable when published.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To complete each of the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assignment. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of up to 20% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
Examination information:
In a Closed Examination, candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within five days if required by the Examiner. In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience. Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete-Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete-Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).

10.

A Course Assignment Cover Sheet must be signed by the student and attached to all assignments submitted for assessment. Failure to do so may result in the assignment not being marked

This version produced 20 Dec 2007.