Courses & Units
Tasmanian Field Ecology KPZ301
Introduction
In this unit, you will experience the major natural ecological communities in Tasmania and the key processes shaping them. You will be introduced to the diversity of organisms found in environments from near sea level moorlands to exposed alpine heaths, from rich basalt soil to ancient, weathered quartzite, and from sites ravaged by clear felling and burning to ancient cool, temperate rainforest. The first five days of the course are based in the spectacular National Parks of Central and Western Tasmania, including a strenuous walk along the Tarn Shelf, over Newdegate Pass & back along the Rodway Range. Students who are not physically fit must seek the advice of the unit coordinator before enrolling. Alternative fields sites may be used at short notice, subject to availability and/or access to field sites. The second part of the course uses three days of field studies and some laboratory-based work to introduce demographic techniques, conservation strategies & practice.
Summary
| Unit name | Tasmanian Field Ecology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | KPZ301 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | College of Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences |
| Discipline | Biological Sciences |
| Coordinator | Professor Mark Hovenden |
| Available as an elective? | Yes |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | 5 Week Session Feb B | On-Campus | International | Domestic | |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.
Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Week Session Feb B | 5/2/2024 | 12/2/2024 | 22/2/2024 | 10/3/2024 |
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).
Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Differentiate the major types of ecological communities found in Tasmania
- Accurately identify many Tasmanian species
- Explain the ecological factors affecting species distributions, including the role of climatic, edaphic, topographic and disturbance factors
- Assess a community via analysis of field observations and data collected in the field
- Communicate effectively in a range of formats
Fee Information
The 2024 Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) rates are still being finalised by the Government and we will update the domestic fee information as soon as we have more details.
Requisites
Prerequisites
KPZ211 Population and Community Ecology OR KPA214 Plants in Action OR KPA210 Plants of Tasmania OR KPZ313 Plants of TasmaniaTeaching
| Teaching Pattern | 7-11 & 14-16 Feb, 2022; informal lectures through unit and 8 days of field work |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Portfolio (10%)|Public Communication (20%)|Report (20%)|Field notes / Report (50%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes. |
Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
|---|
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.