env3egl climate and landscape change

CLIMATE CHANGE AND LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION

ENV3EGL

2019

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject covers the landscape and climate history of the earth, emphasising the changes that have occurred in Australia and highlighting the last 2 million years. The causes and effects of climate change are discussed, with detailed consideration of current climate change due to rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. The landscape is shaped by both surface processes (rivers, waves and wind) and tectonic influences (volcanoes and earthquakes), and these are discussed along with the fundamental concepts of weathering, stratigraphy, deposition and erosion. The subject also deals with the impacts of climate and landscape change on the evolution of vegetated landscapes across the globe, in particular the role of fire in shaping major ecosystems of the Australian continent and how Aboriginals affected the megafauna and forests. The excursion integrates different aspects of the lecture material to develop a landscape, climate and vegetation history of the Geelong region.

SchoolSchool of Life Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorJohn Webb

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

PrerequisitesN/A

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects ENV2EGL

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditions This subject is co-taught with ENV2EGL, but uses higher order marking criteria than in ENV2EGL.

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsClimate changeRecommendedBurroughs, W.J.CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2001
ReadingsGlobal geomorphologyRecommendedSummerfield, M. A.LONGMAN 1991.
ReadingsQuaternary environmentsRecommendedWilliams, M. A. J.EDWARD ARNOLD 1993.

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Describe the basic processes that control the present climate, the data used to interpret past climates, and the climate history of the earth

Activities:
Introduction of techniques and concepts in lectures and more detailed explanation in the laboratory/practical sessions. Example problems discussed and demonstrator assistance available during laboratory/practical sessions. End-of-semester examination and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.

02. Define the processes underlying recent climate change

Activities:
Introduction of techniques and concepts in lectures and more detailed explanation in the laboratory/practical sessions. Example problems discussed and demonstrator assistance available during laboratory/practical sessions. End-of-semester examination and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.

03. Describe the surface and tectonic processes that shape the landscape, and understand how the landscape of Victoria was formed by these processes

Activities:
Introduction of techniques and concepts in lectures and more detailed explanation in the laboratory/practical sessions. Example problems discussed and demonstrator assistance available during laboratory/practical sessions. End-of-semester examination and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.

04. Describe the influence of climate, landscape and tectonics on the major components of global vegetation, e.g rise of the grasslands, understand how the modern Australian vegetation has evolved, including the impact of Aboriginals

Activities:
Introduction of techniques and concepts in lectures and more detailed explanation in the laboratory/practical sessions. Example problems discussed and demonstrator assistance available during laboratory/practical sessions. End-of-semester examination and reports based on laboratory/practical classes.

05. Analyse the climate and landscape history of an area from field observations and data provided, in order to write a report with coherent explanations supported by evidence in grammatically correct prose and use of key vocabulary.

Activities:
Reinforcement of techniques and concepts provided in lectures and practicals with onsite explanation during the excursion; demonstrator assistance also available. Guidelines for excursion report given to students.

06. Apply numerical calculations and graphical representations to manipulate and interpret data, in order to solve complex constructed and real-world problems involving climate change and landscape development.

Activities:
Demonstrator assistance available during laboratory/practical sessions, along with guidelines for lab reports. Multiple lab/practical reports give students opportunity to receive feedback and improve the quality of their work.

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorJohn Webb

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Field TripWeek: 21 - 21
One 1.0 days field trip per study period on sunday during the day from week 21 to week 21 and delivered via face-to-face.

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Laboratory/practical exercises (10 reports, 1,000-words equivalent total)4001, 02, 03, 04, 06
Excursion report (500-words equivalent)2001, 02, 03, 04, 05
3-hour end-of-semester examination4001, 02, 03, 04, 05