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LocationDomesticInternational
LismoreSession 1Session 1
OnlineSession 1N/A

Unit description

Introduces students to the ecological role, conservation value and management of Australian plants and plant communities, and develops practical skills in plant identification using keys. Students will integrate the knowledge gained in this unit to prepare a vegetation management plan for a forest remnant.

Unit content

  • Plant identification using taxonomic keys based on vegetative and floral structures
  • Plant community identification and classification using structural and floristic techniques
  • Physical environmental factors that influence plant growth and vegetation distribution patterns
  • Succession and plant community dynamics
  • Effect of isolation and fragmentation on native vegetation
  • Weeds: ecological impact and management strategies
  • Rare and threatened species
  • Ecological restoration of degraded vegetation
  • NSW and Federal Government legislative controls on vegetation
  • Approaches to conservation on public and privately owned land
  • Management for conservation in a changing world.

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1demonstrate practical skills in identifying plants and plant communities, and describe the methodology and purpose of vegetation classification and mappingKnowledge of a discipline
2discuss the dynamics and distribution of plant species and communities (including weeds and rare plants) with reference to environmental factors and human impactsKnowledge of a discipline
3describe the main approaches to conservation and management of Australian vegetation, including legislative controls, on both public and privately owned landKnowledge of a discipline
4synthesise and evaluate information from a variety of sources to prepare a well-structured and clearly written vegetation management plan for a forest remnant.Intellectual rigourCommunication and social skills

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate practical skills in identifying plants and plant communities, and describe the methodology and purpose of vegetation classification and mapping
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  2. discuss the dynamics and distribution of plant species and communities (including weeds and rare plants) with reference to environmental factors and human impacts
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  3. describe the main approaches to conservation and management of Australian vegetation, including legislative controls, on both public and privately owned land
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  4. synthesise and evaluate information from a variety of sources to prepare a well-structured and clearly written vegetation management plan for a forest remnant.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA6: Communication and social skills

Prescribed texts

  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Lecture on-site 2 hours (10 weeks)
Practical session 3 hours (11 weeks)
Assessment
Online Quizzes15%
Exam: practical20%
Report35%
Exam: closed book30%

Teaching method
Lecture online 2 hours (10 weeks)
Residential session 4 days (once)
Assessment
Online Quizzes15%
Exam: practical20%
Report35%
Exam: closed book30%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2020 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 2

Fee paying courses
For POSTGRADUATE or UNDERGRADUATE full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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