Courses & Units
Ecology of Ecosystems KPZ307
Introduction
This unit is all about the study of how ecosystems function, which gives it great relevance from scientific and management perspectives. We will examine the processes that operate in terrestrial and aquatic communities and ecosystems from both a theoretical and practical point of view. The seminar series gives a thorough theoretical background into the development of ideas concerning community and ecosystem-level processes, including the importance of such factors as biodiversity and climate change in maintaining healthy, functioning ecosystems. In the face-to-face practical component, which is largely based in the field, students learn by doing, assessing risks and working appropriately and safely, sampling communities and doing experiments, as well as analysing and interpreting results. The field-based activities feed directly into assessment tasks with some criteria assessed during the field practical classes. This unit is a required part of an ecology major.
Summary
| Unit name | Ecology of Ecosystems |
|---|---|
| Unit code | KPZ307 |
| 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 |
| Level | Advanced |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | On-Campus | International | Domestic | |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
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Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 26/2/2024 | 22/3/2024 | 15/4/2024 | 2/6/2024 |
* 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
- design and apply appropriate methods for studying ecosystem patterns and processes
- explain the various theories of how communities are assembled and how this affects ecosystem function
- design and analyse basic ecological experiments and explain their role in modern community and ecosystem ecology
- describe the flow of nutrients and energy through ecosystems and predict the impacts of environmental perturbations on these flows
- present ecological theories, data and results in the form of written scientific manuscripts.
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
KZA211 Population and Community Ecology OR KPA214 Plants in Action OR KPZ211 Population and Community EcologyMutual Exclusions
You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:
KPA379 AND KZA355Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | 1 x 2-hr on campus face-to-face seminar weekly (recorded) and 1 x 4-hr practical weekly including four practical sessions in the field, two full-day field trips. |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Decomposition analysis (10%)|Field work risk and competence (10%)|Community analysis report (40%)|Examination (40%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Mittelbach, G.G., McGill, B.J., 2019. Community Ecology, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, Oxford. |
Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
|---|
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