Warning! This subjects requires on campus attendance. Refer to Special Requirements for more information.

Subject details

At the completion of this subject students will be able to:

  1. outline the key structural and energy flows in a variety of ecosystems
  2. explain the concepts of succession and dynamism in ecosystems
  3. explain the principles and examples of how population dynamics interact with management of reserves
  4. outline the main factors affecting ecosystems (fire, invasions, competition) and their management
  5. investigate unknown ecosystems for these flows, both qualitatively and quantitatively choose and use appropriate methods to sample terrestrial and aquatic habitats for their main flora and fauna, populations and environmental quality
  6. Choose and use appropriate methods to sample terrestrial and aquatic habitats for their main flora and fauna, populations and environmental quality.

  • Topics

    • Basic ecological principles - ecosystem level; energy flow; productivity; nutrient cycling; community structure; comparing communities
    • Basic ecological principles - population level; population sizes and distributions; survey design; population dynamics; management of reserves
    • Habitat ecology; sampling techniques for plants and animals in freshwater; marine and terrestrial habitats; environmental quality
    • Environment management techniques and problems; control of vegetation; fire ecology; design of reserves; revegetation; pest control; land planning

Entry Requirements

Equivalent Subjects

You cannot enrol in this unit if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

  • RMI-SCB302

You are recommended to have completed the following subjects(s) or have equivalent knowledge before starting this unit:

Special requirements

  • AttendanceDetails - Practicals - 5 full-day mandatory on-campus practicals in Melbourne.

Please note: this subject is currently not accepting enrolments in Study Period 4, 2018.  

This subject covers ecological sampling and ecology, including practical skills in ecological sampling techniques and their application to the study of ecological systems and environmental pollution. This subject trains students in the utilisation of ecological sampling techniques in the field to solve applied ecological problems and in preparing critical scientific reports.

Please note the dates below for the compulsory requirements for this subject to attend laboratory classes at RMIT University's Bundoora Campus:

Study Period 3:

  • Oct 22 - 26, 2018 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM*

*More details will be provided at the commencement of the relevant Study Period and available on Blackboard.

  • Assignments (60%)
  • Invigilated Exam (40%)

Textbooks are subject to change within the academic year. Students are advised to purchase their books no earlier than one to two months before the start of a subject.

View textbooks

Related Degrees

undergraduate RMI-SCI-DEG-2018

Bachelor of Science (Applied Sciences)