Key facts
UNE unit code: ECOL511
*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 2 - On Campus
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 6
Unit information
If you have an interest in botany and ecology and want to extend your skills and knowledge in plant community ecology and fire ecology, this unit is for you. You will be introduced to key ecological concepts that related to the description and dynamics of Australian plant communities.
With a focus on the features of fire-prone Australian vegetation, you will explore definitions and classification of communities, community description in time and space, disturbance and succession.
A six-day field excursion to the semi-arid Pilliga Forest allows you to hone valuable practical skills and apply them in real-world scenarios. You will learn how to use various methods of sampling and data analysis, vegetation classification and statistical modelling of vegetation dynamics. Work performed during the field trip will form the basis of your major project for this unit.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 2 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 5 days | Mandatory Intensive School | All offerings | On campus and online students must attend the 5-day mandatory intensive school. Students will be required to meet in Armidale on day one to attend the 4-day field trip. The 5th day will be held on-campus. The off-campus Intensive School may incur additional expenses, for further information please contact the unit coordinator. In addition, students will be responsible for all meals. Dates to be advised. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
On campus and online students must attend the 5-day mandatory intensive school. Students will be required to meet in Armidale on day one to attend the 4-day field trip. The 5th day will be held on-campus.
The off-campus Intensive School may incur additional expenses, for further information please contact the unit coordinator. In addition, students will be responsible for all meals.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate an advanced and integrated technical and theoretical knowledge of plant community ecology and the ability to apply it in a practical environment;
- demonstrate advanced practical skills and experience in dealing with plant community ecology;
- critically analyse ecological data and apply it to the description of plant communities, vegetation classification and modelling vegetation dynamics;
- demonstrate understanding and mastery of appropriate approaches to ecological analysis and classification; and
- critically review and appraise scientific literature to present a coherent and sustained argument, and to disseminate research results to specialist and non-specialist audiences in formal and informal formats.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecological Journal and Field Preparation | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Ongoing journal documenting preparatory research on local ecology and predicted community composition, and development of testable predictions, and formulation of analytical approaches for field data collection. No. Words: 1000 |
| Field Data Analysis and Report | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Conference abstract and 3–5 minute presentation of data analysis for a general audience, plus a conference proceedings paper synthesising field observations and data analysis into a professional ecological assessment for a specialist audience
|
| Final Examination - Assurance Task | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Final examination assessing advanced conceptual understanding and applied ecological reasoning under assured conditions. Includes interpretation of data outputs, applied ecological scenarios, and management considerations for different ecological objectives. There is a supervised exam at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across the In-Field Practical Assessments – Assurance Task and Final Exam, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| In Field Practical Assessments - Assurance Task | Yes | 30% | All offerings | Intensive school participation demonstrating advanced applied ecological knowledge through field-based assessment activities. Includes plant community analysis, prediction and interpretation of functional traits and ecological interactions, and a data analysis and presentation session with live Q&A. To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across the In-Field Practical Assessments – Assurance Task and Final Exam, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Recommended material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Mixed Effects Models and Extensions in Ecology with R
ISBN: 9781441927644
Zuur, A., Ieno, E.N., Walker, N., Saveliev, A.A. and Smith, G.M., Springer 2009
Text refers to: All offerings
Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists
ISBN: 9780521009768
Quinn, G.P. and Keogh, M.J., Cambridge University Press 1st Edition 2007
Text refers to: All offerings
Community Ecology
ISBN: 9781405124119
Morin, P.J., Wiley 2nd ed. 2011
Text refers to: All offerings
Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists
ISBN: 9781107687677
Quinn, G.P. and Keogh, M.J., Cambridge University 2nd ed 2023
Text refers to: All offerings
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