Undergraduate TAS-KPZ006-2021
Backyard Biodiversity
Enrolments for this year have closed. Apply for 2020
Duration
12 weeks
Study method
100% online
Available loans
- HECS-HELP
- FEE-HELP
Assessments
100% online
Prior study
Not required
Study terms
- 01 Feb 2021
- 21 Jun 2021
- 25 Oct 2021
QS RANKING 2021
19
Times Higher Education Ranking 2021
25
Subject details
Upon completion of this subject, the student should be able to:
- Explain the value of biodiversity using the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Quantify the biodiversity and habitat present in your local environment
- Create solutions for living in biodiverse environments
- Develop the skills to manage the biodiversity of your local environment
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- Welcome to Backyard Biodiversity
- Introduction to biodiversity
- Ecosystems, resilience and ecosystem services?
- Biodiversity in Australia?
- Biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals
- Taxonomy: the name game
- Techniques for detecting wildlife
- Quantifying biodiversity
- Habitat!
- Identifying mammals
- Identifying birds
- Identifying reptiles and amphibians
- It’s the little things in life that matter most: invertebrates and microbes
- Getting to know your plants
- Plants that provide food for wildlife
- Creating terrestrial habitat
- Creating aquatic habitat
- Making a backyard habitat management plan
- Protecting the plants in your yard
- Protecting the animals (wildlife and pets)
- Protecting ourselves: dealing with bushfire risk
- Maintaining backyard habitat
- Making it work
- Designing for equity and accessibility
- Co-benefits for sustainable living
No eligibility requirements
Special requirements
No special requirements
Biodiversity is a critical component of sustainable living and is central to several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. At a local scale, biodiversity is important for healthy and sustainable living, and due to the complexity of biodiversity issues in urban areas, requires well informed and strategic management. Focusing on the biodiversity present in urban areas, especially your own backyard, you will learn about the importance of biodiversity to human and ecosystem health and how biodiversity supports sustainable living. You will develop skills and knowledge in identification, quantification and management of both vertebrate and invertebrate biodiversity, and learn how to modify your environment to facilitate greater biodiversity.
- Fortnightly interactive quizzes (30%)
- Backyard biodiversity report (20%)
- Backyard habitat report (20%)
- Backyard biodiversity management plan (30%)
Check the learning management system (LMS) of your university for textbook details.
Check the learning management system (LMS) of your university for textbook details.