Landscape Conservation and Recreation

About this subject

What you'll learn

• Topics covered

  • Week 1 - General Concepts, Scientific Values-n/a
  • Week 2 - Additional Values Criteria-n/a
  • Week 3 - Values-based site nominations-n/a
  • Week 4 - Values-based site assessment-n/a
  • Week 5 - Impacts and Degradation-n/a
  • Week 6 - Testing degradation and impact criteria in-field-n/a
  • Week 7 - Geoconservation and Geotourism all around us-n/a
  • Week 8 - Making complex decisions when situating human activities in protected areas-n/a
  • Week 9 - In-field inventories-n/a
  • Week 10 - The least-cost path...-n/a
  • Week 11 - Beautiful, interesting but unremarkable. Ugly, boring but high value.-n/a
  • Week 12 - Geoparks and Geotourism-n/a
  • Week 13 - Communicating geoconservation and geotourism.-n/a

• Description

  Conservation efforts globally are focussed primarily on biodiversity, but geodiversity elements and features such as soils, rivers, mountains and caves provide humans with a wealth of ecosystem services and enjoyment. In this subject, you will learn about how to recognise geodiversity elements as critical system supports for biodiversity and ecosystem function, and to appreciate their cultural and recreational value for society. Using a series of masterclasses with global experts (in-field, in person or online), you will be immersed in the practices of 'geoconservation' and 'geotourism'. With no prior knowledge or skills required, you will develop skills as a communicator and conservation professional, and learn how to:

  
  

  - Rank and assess geodiversity elements (as 'subjects' of conservation) and features in terms of their rarity, uniqueness, importance to science and society,

  - Construct inventories of abiotic, biotic and cultural elements and values for recreation and reserve establishment

  - Undertake in-field degradation assessments of landscapes used by humans for tourism and production

  - Recommend management strategies to restore landscape features and values for human enjoyment and wilderness protection

  - Undertake decision-making in a range of modes – graphical, consensus methods, GIS methods and qualitative methods.

  - Communicate landscape features and conservation strategies to a broad range of audiences.

  
  

  Any student interested in how to undertake conservation practice, curate heritage, assess landscape suitability for tourism and other ventures, or to communicate natural values will find KGA527 useful. All skills and knowledge required to successfully complete KGA527 are developed within the subject.

• Assessments

  • Test or Quiz (10%)
  • Case or Problem Activated Learning (30%)
  • Assignment (30%)
  • E-Media/Podcasts (30%)

• Textbooks

  For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).

• About University of Tasmania

  Australia’s fourth oldest university, the University of Tasmania, is highly regarded internationally for teaching and academic excellence. The university offers more than 100 undergraduate degrees and more than 50 postgraduate programs across a range of disciplines. The university offers students a diverse range of opportunities, the chance to learn from leading experts, and excellent preparation for their future careers.

  Learn more about UTAS.

  Explore UTAS courses.

  QS Ranking 2023: 17

  Times Higher Education Ranking 2023: 22

Entry requirements

Equivalent subjects

You won't be able to enrol into this subject if you've already successfully completed or currently enrolled in the following subject(s) as they are considered anti-requisites due to the similarity of the content.

• TAS-KGA327-Geoheritage and Geotourism

Additional requirements

• Travel requirements - For face-to-face mode (or any interested online students) - A three-day in-field camp to northern Tasmania will be scheduled in week 7 of semester.