Marine & Freshwater Ecology

    Unit code: RBF3110 | Study level: Undergraduate
    12
    (Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
    Footscray Park
    RBF1310 - Biology 1
    RBF1320 - Biology 2
    RBF2640 - Australian Animals
    (Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
    Overview
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    Overview

    This unit builds on units Biology 1 and Biology 2 and provides an overview to the ecology and management of freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems in southern Australia. The material covered includes: ecology of upland and lowland-floodplain rivers (including impact of flow regulation and environmental water allocations); ecology of lakes and reservoirs (including algal bloom control and impacts of recreation); wetland ecology and management (including international conventions on waterbirds); seagrass, mangrove and saltmarsh ecology and management; significance of rocky shore habitats in southern Australia; estuarine ecology (with particular emphasis on Port Phillip Bay and Victorian Lakes) and environmental degradation and repair of aquatic systems.

    Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

    1. Distinguish and evaluate marine and freshwater environments found in southern Australia in contrast to that found in other parts of Australia;
    2. Adapt skills in biological techniques utilised in marine and freshwater ecology to solve complex problems in the area;
    3. Assess forms of environmental degradation that occur in marine and freshwater environments and provide creative strategies to mitigate them;
    4. Differentiate amongst different management strategies applied in marine and freshwater ecology and critique their effectiveness in application in wide ranging context; and
    5. Articulate clearly, diagrammatically and in writing, complex information on a range of ecologically important concepts in relation to marine and freshwater ecosystems.

    Assessment

    For Melbourne campuses

    Assessment type: Literature Review
    |
    Grade: 20%
    Literature review and research proposal
    Assessment type: Report
    |
    Grade: 30%
    Field report
    Assessment type: Presentation
    |
    Grade: 20%
    Presentation
    Assessment type: Test
    |
    Grade: 30%
    Tests

    Required reading

    Refer to VU Collaborate for recommenced reading and other resources.

    As part of a course

    This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

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