Ecology of Ecosystems unit (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	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

Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August

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

2027 fee information will be available in August.

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	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.

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