BIO328 Restoration Ecology (8)

Restoration ecology is a new and vital area of ecology, which aims to underpin and improve current approaches to restore modified or degraded landscape elements. In this subject, we will first review the current status of biodiversity, land and water resources in Australia; explain key terminology, and then describe some of the key management principles, ecological models and theoretical frameworks that underpin restoration ecology. The problems and pitfalls of the discipline are discussed, as well as the challenges in linking theory to practice. Restoration principles specific to agricultural, riverine, urban and mining contexts are also examined. This subject has no residential school. On completion, students will be able to make sound judgements regarding the development of appropriate restoration strategies for most major Australian contexts (i.e. mining, agriculture, riparian and urban) and be able to apply scientific rigour and adaptive management principles to restoration projects.

Availability

Session 2 (60)
Online
Albury-Wodonga Campus
Session 3 (90)
Online
Albury-Wodonga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: BIO328. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Environmental Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

Not available to students who have completed BIO317.

Not available to students who have completed BIO521.

Assumed Knowledge

BIO112

Incompatible Subjects

BIO317, BIO521

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • have an in-depth understanding of terminology, concepts, principles and theory associated with restoration ecology
  • be able to apply their knowledge to identify some of the key challenges associated with restoring an environment
  • be able to exercise critical thinking and sound judgement to develop appropriate restoration strategies for major Australian contexts (mining, agriculture, riparian and urban)
  • be able to apply scientific rigour and adaptive management principles to restoration problems

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

  1. The state of the Australian environment
  2. Introduction to restoration ecology
  3. Problems and pitfalls in restoration ecology
  4. Theoretical contexts: population and community ecology
  5. Theoretical contexts: landscape ecology and scale
  6. Project management and goal setting
  7. Project Evaluation
  8. Restoration in agricultural landscapes
  9. Restoration of riverine ecosystems
  10. Restoration of urban ecosystems
  11. Rehabilitation of mine sites
  12. The future for restoration ecology

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of BIO328 in Session 3 2020. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Restoration targets and novel ecosystems essay
30
2
Major report: restoration project evaluation
40
3
Case study oral presentation
30

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: February 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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