This subject introduces students to the Australian environment and its biota. The principles of biogeography and phylogenetic reconstruction, the continent's history as part of Gondwana, and the topography and climate of Australia (and New Guinea) are reviewed. These topics provide the framework for examining the evolution and ecology of selected plant and animal groups that contribute significantly to the past or present biota, and to review the distribution and history of the continent's biological communities, along with its fire history, and human impacts. The subject provides students with a framework for the consideration of conservation and land management issues and promotes the development of skills in hypothesis generation and testing as well as written and verbal communication skills.

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