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Unit Overview

Description

This unit examines the principles and challenges of managing threatened species and ecological communities (EC's), drawing from global examples, but with a practical investigation of the Endangered Banksia Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain. In interactive lectures and discussions students will learn how and why particular management decisions were taken, will analyse successes and failures, and will understand how ‘best practice' can be achieved via mechanisms such as IUCN Green Status Assessments. Students will conduct field research in Banksia woodlands near UWA's Crawley Campus, and in so doing will learn techniques for vertebrate surveys, weed assessment, and assigning condition indices to native vegetation, and will use these insights in a series of written assignments.

The unit aims to bring students together with local experts and organizations involved in threatened species and communities management to enhance their expertise and employability, to contribute to long-term data collection within an iconic threatened ecological community, and to develop students' critical thinking and written and verbal communication skills.

Credit
6 points
Offering
(see Timetable)
AvailabilityLocationMode
Semester 2UWA (Perth)On-campus

The timetable for this teaching period is not currently available. Please see the Important Dates page for the timetable release date and other key date information.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate competence in fieldwork and analytical skills that relate to threatened species or communities management; (2) demonstrate awareness of global examples of threatened species management with a focus on recent research and initiatives; and (3) conduct relevant research on a threatened species to compile an IUCN green status assessment.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) two assignments based on a field visit and a computer laboratory; (2) a verbal presentation describing and critiquing a long-term management program for a threatened species; and (3) a written report detailing an assessment against IUCN criteria for whether a threatened species meets standards for green listing. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the a written report detailing an assessment against IUCN criteria for whether a threatened species meets standards for green listing component.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Professor Nicki Mitchell and Dr Pieter Poot
Unit rules
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
BH004 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
or 72520 Master of Biological Science
or CM005 Bachelor of Biological Science and Master of Biological Science
Contact hours
One interactive seminar per week including student-led interviews with conservation practitioners, formal presentations, and workshops. Fieldwork: Up to 15 hours in total, with flexibility in the timing of student-led fieldwork.
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.