BIO402 River Restoration and Protection (8)

CSU Discipline Area: Biological Sciences (BILSC)

Duration: One session

Abstract:

This subject deals with the theoretical and practical framework that underpins the restoration of riverine environments following disturbance. As such it is assumed students undertaking this subject already have a good knowledge of river geomorphology and ecology. The ecology of restoration covers the following areas: Principles of restoration ecology; decision analysis in deciding recovery goals; restoration constraints; methodologies and techniques, monitoring, and criteria for determining the degree of recovery and relevance assessment. During the residential school students visit a range of field sites where restoration works have been undertaken. The subject contains a total estimated workload of 150 hours.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations

Session 2
Distance *	Albury-Wodonga

*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: BIO402

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

Be able to:

describe the key ecological principles on which successful restoration projects must be based;
describe the current state of riverine ecosystems in Australia and understand the causes and nature of degradation processes in riparian systems and floodplains;
identify the different approaches used to prioritise river restoration works in Australia;
make sound decisions for deciding recovery goals, in the light of restoration constraints and available restoration methodologies and techniques;
implement monitoring criteria and systems for determining rate and degree of recovery;
assess restoration works in the light of technical, social and legal constraints and problems of cost and timing;
reflect on critical case histories.

Syllabus:

The subject will cover the following topics:

Restoration ecology theory;

River degradation issues;
Current state of riverine ecosystems in Australia;
Institutional arrangements and community engagement in restoration projects;
Evaluation of tools for prioritisation of restoration projects including the 12-step process for rehabilitating Australian streams;
In-channel and riparian intervention tools;
Monitoring and evaluation of restoration projects.

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 3 day residential school.

During the residential school students visit a range of field sites where restoration works have been undertaken.

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