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
Teaching staff	Associate Professor Leon Barmuta
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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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
Semester 1	20/2/2023	21/3/2023	10/4/2023	28/5/2023

* 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 2023 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2023 will be available from the 1st October 2022. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

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.

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution ^1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution ^1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution ^2,3	Domestic Full Fee ⁴
010903	$1,037.00	$1,037.00	not applicable	$2,472.00

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

KZA211 Population and Community Ecology OR KPA214 Plants in Action OR KPZ211 Population and Community Ecology

Mutual Exclusions

You cannot enrol in this unit as well as the following:

KPA379 AND KZA355

Teaching

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	Examination (40%)\|Community analysis report (40%)\|Decomposition analysis (10%)\|Field work risk and competence (10%)
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

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.