Overview

This unit studies how human-induced environmental changes, such as climate change, affects organisms and ecosystems. We explore how environmental stresses affect the physiology, behaviour, and ecological interactions of different organisms. In turn, the implications of these changes for biodiversity and human society are also examined. The unit covers a range … For more content click the Read More button below.

Offerings

S2-01-CLAYTON-ON-CAMPUS

Rules

Enrolment Rule

Contacts

Chief Examiner(s)

Professor Carla Sgro

Unit Coordinator(s)

Professor Carla Sgro

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1.

Demonstrate an understanding the main anthropogenic pressures on biota, including climate change, land use change, pollution, and invasive species.

2.

Explain how plants and animals respond to environmental stresses, including by modulating gene expression, metabolism, morphology, and behaviour.

3.

Assess how environmental change affects biodiversity, food security, and other ecosystem services.

4.

Predict how ongoing environmental changes will affect the ecological distributions and interactions of animals, plants, and microorganisms.

5.

Propose and evaluate strategies to prevent or mitigate environmental change and its impacts on biota.

6.

Demonstrate critical analytical approaches to scientific research and writing scientific reports.

Teaching approach

Active learning

Assessment

1 - Assessment of laboratory tasks and lecture content
2 - In-semester tests

Scheduled and non-scheduled teaching activities

Laboratories
Lectures

Workload requirements

Workload

Learning resources

Required resources

Availability in areas of study

Ecology and conservation biology
Environmental science
Plant sciences
Zoology