An understanding of vegetation ecology is an important precursor to the conservation and sustainable management of forests and woodlands. More than 80% of Australia's treed landscapes are dominated by eucalypts and therefore this program is largely concerned with the ecology of eucalypt forests and woodlands.  The course covers the following topics:

• the classification of major Australian vegetation types, their geographical occurrence and factors controlling their distribution at a range of scales from continental to patch;
• Eucalypt taxonomy and biogeography focusing on the major taxa of Corymbia, Symphymyrtus and Monocalyptus;
• the reproductive biology and growth habits of eucalypts;
• Eucalypt adaptation to Australian environmental conditions;
• patterning and processes in eucalypt forests and models of succession describing eucalypt response to natural and anthropogenic disturbances - particularly fire;
• elements of stand structural complexity and their relationship to biodiversity in eucalypt dominated vegetation.

This is a hands-on course with a substantial practical component. Students reinforce and extend concepts presented in lectures through a coordinated set of field exercises located in Canberra Nature Parks, Namadgi National Park, the ANU Kioloa field station and the Murramarang National Park. Students synthesise their knowledge in a major project, in which they research the ecology of a tree species of their choice.

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the classification of major Australian vegetation types, their geographical occurrence and explain factors controlling their distribution at a range of scales
2. Apply Eucalypt taxonomy and explain the reproductive biology and growth habits of eucalypts
3. Explain and compare plant adaptations to Australian environmental conditions
4. Describe and analyse patterning and processes in eucalypt forests and synthesise the results to explain eucalypt biogeography
5. Analyse and compare models of succession describing eucalypt response to natural and anthropogenic disturbances - particularly fire
6. Describe elements of stand structural complexity and their relationship to biodiversity in eucalypt dominated vegetation
7. Critically assess information sources, synthesise an evidenced based argument and communicate findings to audiences in appropriate ways.

Assessment will be based on:

• Short reports of field practicals (25%; LO 1,2,3,4,6,7)
• Kioloa field trip report (30%; LO 1,2,3,4,6,7)
• Journal abstract exercise (15%: LO 4,7)
• Major project - 30 minute seminar, 2000 word essay (30%; LO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7)

Bachelor degree; general science knowledge.

Requires existing knowledge of environmental sciences.

FSTY6019

Williams, J & Woinarski, J, eds (1997) Eucalypt ecology: individuals to ecosystems. Cambridge University Press.