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Arid Zone: Ecology, Management and Challenges
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SCENV3204 - Arid Zone: Ecology, Management and Challenges
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20250100
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2027
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/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=SCENV3204&p0_catalogue_year=2027&p0_catalogue_term=0600
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3.1
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Science
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Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
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Science
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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019999
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Natural and Physical Sciences, n.e.c.
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019999 - Natural and Physical Sciences, n.e.c.
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scenv3204">View unit fees</a>
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<p>The content of this unit explores the ecology, management and challenges of arid landscapes, both within Australia and internationally. It compares the arid zone of Australia with similar zones in other parts of the world and contrasts the impact of different land uses on the development of rangelands. It considers the threats to rangelands such as overgrazing by indigenous and domesticated animals, soil erosion, rabbits, weeds and feral animals. It evaluates the role of conservation reserves, as well as how to conduct a useful biological survey in a remote arid area. The unit explores species adaptation and survival in arid environments and how that influences their distribution</p>
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<p>Scope:<br>
The content of this unit explores the ecology of arid zones, both within Australia and internationally. It<br>
compares the arid zone of Australia with similar zones in other parts of the world and contrasts the impact<br>
of different land uses on the development of rangelands. It considers the threats to rangelands such as<br>
overgrazing by indigenous and domesticated animals, soil erosion, rabbits, weeds and feral animals. It<br>
evaluates the role of conservation reserves, as well as how to conduct a useful biological survey in a<br>
remote arid area.<br><br>
Topics may include:<br>
1. Topics may include:<br>
Comparison of the arid zone flora and fauna of Australia with those in other parts of the world<br>
The impact of different land uses on the development of rangelands in the arid zone of Australia<br>
and other parts of the world<br>
Threats to rangelands such as overgrazing by indigenous and domesticated animals, soil erosion,<br>
rabbits, weeds, feral animals<br>
Conservation reserves<br>
Biological survey in remote areas</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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SCENV3204 - Arid Zone: Ecology, Management and Challenges
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>The content of this unit explores the ecology, management and challenges of arid landscapes, both within Australia and internationally. It compares the arid zone of Australia with similar zones in other parts of the world and contrasts the impact of different land uses on the development of rangelands. It considers the threats to rangelands such as overgrazing by indigenous and domesticated animals, soil erosion, rabbits, weeds and feral animals. It evaluates the role of conservation reserves, as well as how to conduct a useful biological survey in a remote arid area. The unit explores species adaptation and survival in arid environments and how that influences their distribution</p>
Unit content
<p>Scope:<br> The content of this unit explores the ecology of arid zones, both within Australia and internationally. It<br> compares the arid zone of Australia with similar zones in other parts of the world and contrasts the impact<br> of different land uses on the development of rangelands. It considers the threats to rangelands such as<br> overgrazing by indigenous and domesticated animals, soil erosion, rabbits, weeds and feral animals. It<br> evaluates the role of conservation reserves, as well as how to conduct a useful biological survey in a<br> remote arid area.<br><br> Topics may include:<br> 1. Topics may include:<br> Comparison of the arid zone flora and fauna of Australia with those in other parts of the world<br> The impact of different land uses on the development of rangelands in the arid zone of Australia<br> and other parts of the world<br> Threats to rangelands such as overgrazing by indigenous and domesticated animals, soil erosion,<br> rabbits, weeds, feral animals<br> Conservation reserves<br> Biological survey in remote areas</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Science
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
019999 - Natural and Physical Sciences, n.e.c.
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 2</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scenv3204">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p>must have completed "<a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=SCENV2101" target="_blank">SCENV2101</a>"</p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
<p>must not have completed "SCENV3203"</p>
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Compare and contrast the nature and extent of the arid zone of Australia and other parts of the world</p>
K2
<p>Describe the role that climatic conditions play in distribution of natural ecosystems within an arid zone</p>
K3
<p>Identify various conflicts and land issues and explain what they are, and why they must be taken into account when managing an arid zone flora and fauna</p>
S1
<p>Evaluate and distinguish between the patterns of distribution of the major rangeland vegetation types and associated fauna</p>
S2
<p>Develop and conduct biological survey techniques in an arid zone flora and fauna</p>
S3
<p>Demonstrate the capacity to work effectively both individually and in teams</p>
S4
<p>Analyse, summarise and present both the flora and fauna data gathered in the field and the major scientific findings to a relevant audience</p>
A1
<p>Critically evaluate data gathered from the field</p>
A2
<p>Prepare a scientific paper in an accepted format using appropriate scientific language</p>
A3
<p>Apply teamwork skills to the completion of field activities</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Seminar presentation on a rangeland issue</p>
<p>An oral presentation</p>
<p>10-20%</p>
K1, K2, K3
2
<p>Aridzone field based research project (Flora or Fauna)</p>
<p>Written report</p>
<p>30-50%</p>
K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3
3
<p>Aridzone vegetation survey report</p>
<p>Written report</p>
<p>30-50%</p>
K2, S1, S2, S3, S4, A1, A2, A3
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability
Discipline:
Science
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
019999 - Natural and Physical Sciences, n.e.c.
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 2</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/scenv3204">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: SCENV3204 - U3.1