AGR595 Managing Agroecosystems (8)
Abstract| Agricultural systems are managed ecosystems. This core subject will enable students to develop their understanding of natural ecosystems and how that knowledge can be applied to agricultural ecosystems. This subject will explore the relationship between the environment and the ecological suitability of agricultural enterprises. A major outcome of this subject will be to impart skills in developing and applying systems models towards the understanding of management options and their implications from the perspectives of productivity, stability, social equity, economics, and natural resource management. |
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+ Subject Availability Modes and Location
| Session 2 | | Internal | Orange Campus | | Distance | Orange Campus |
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: AGR595
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
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Subject information| Duration | Grading System | School: |
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| One session | HD/FL | School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences |
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Enrolment restrictions|
By approval of relevant Course Director/Course Co-ordinator. |
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| Incompatible subject(s) | Related subject(s) |
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| AGR795 | AGR795 Paired Subject
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Learning OutcomesUpon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- Be able to demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the ecological principles that drive agriculture
- Be able to characterise the principles to manage and conserve complexity in agro-ecosystems
- Be able to evaluate sustainability in the broad context of disturbance and recovery
- Be able to demonstrate management skills in generating sustainable technologies in crop ecosystems
- Be able to analyse trials in sustainable farming practices and offer critique on them
- Be able to develop eco-friendly models to preserve agricultural resources and evaluate the efficiency of such models
- Be able to discuss sustainable agricultural system in the context of global food security
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SyllabusThe subject will cover the following topics:
- Ecological principles relevant to agriculture
- The natural ecosystems
- Energy flow and material cycles
- Populations and communities
- Human ecology and social traps
- Theory of sustainable yield
- The Agroecosystem
- Ecological Processes In Agro-ecosystems: Concept Of Sustainability In Agriculture
- Practice of conventional agriculture and why it is unsustainable
- Plant production systems and the environment
- Population processes in agriculture
- Agroecosystem diversity and stability
- Management of genetic resources in agro-ecosystems
- Disturbance, succession, and agroecosystem management
- Energetics in agro-ecosystems
- Efficient Management Of Sustainability: Towards Eco-Friendly Agricultural Systems
- Designing sustainable agro-ecosystems
- Alternative production systems
- Ecological management of pests, pathogens, and weeds
- Achieving sustainability
- Human landscape and how to set priorities
- From sustainable agriculture to sustainable food systems
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The information contained in the 2016 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 06 September 2016. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.
