BIRDS, PLANTS AND POLLINATORS

ENV3BPP

Not currently offered

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Interactions between species are thought to have been critical for generating the diversity of species we see on earth today, but also pose particular challenges for conservation biologists. In this field course, we study animal-plant interactions in the species rich heath lands and forests of the north coast of NSW, with a strong emphasis on pollination by vertebrates. You will design and conduct ecological and behavioural studies of plants and animals in the field. This research will encompass both theoretical topics, such as the adaptation of flowers to particular groups of pollinators, and applied topics, such as the conservation issues associated with maintaining ecological interactions between organisms. In addition, there will be a focus on both developing the ability for you to identify elements of the Australian flora and avifauna, and increasing their exposure to a diversity of field techniques.

School: Life Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Ryan Phillips

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: BIO2POS AND (ZOO2FE OR BOT2PDE)

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: Students MUST check details of dates & costs of field trips with the department. This field course incurs additional costs.

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Pizzey and Knight Birds of Australia

Resource Type: Web resource

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Graham Pizzey & Frank Knight

Year: N/A

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Gibbon Multimedia

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Mangroves to Mountains: A Field Guide to the Plants of South-east Queensland

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Glenn Leiper et al.

Year: 2017

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Society for Growing Australian Native Plants, Logan Branch

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Pollination and Floral Ecology

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Pat Willmer

Year: 2011

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Princeton University Press

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Define key terms and explain concepts in botany and ornithology.
02. Design scientific studies inspired by field observations, and manage data collection in the field.
03. Analyse ecological data, explain and illustrate results, and apply ecological theory of plant-pollinator interactions to interpret data.
04. Compose a research article that is grammatically correct, well-structured, coherent, methodologically accurate, and includes synthesis and evaluation of the current literature.
05. Apply knowledge of plant and bird traits to identify plants and birds.
06. Demonstrate practical skills associated with undertaking the study of plant-animal interactions, and undertaking research in the field.
Subject not currently offered - Subject options not available.