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Core subjects - Master of Forest Ecosystem Science
220405 Forest Ecosystems |
An introduction to the forests and woodlands of southeastern Australia. The subject aims to provide a sound theoretical and practical understanding of the major ecological processes in forest ecosystems, including a functional appreciation of forest soils. A 3-day field trip and associated practical work will ensure that students obtain direct experience in state-of-the-art methods used to analyze ecosystem processes such as nutrient and carbon cycling. Subject coordinator:Dr Chris Weston and Dr Steve Livesley |
220408 Trees in a Changing Climate (formally Functional Tree Biology) |
This subject will provide a broad understanding of functional tree biology. Modern forest science, ecology and management relies on tools and models based on functional parameters of trees, e.g. in forest growth modelling, estimating water use by forests, assessing risks by environmental extremes, quantifying carbon sequestration by forests etc. Masters level forest scientists are expected to adequately and critically interpret such scenarios and outputs, a task that can only be achieved by the fundamental understanding of how the main forest resource – trees – work. Subject coordinators:Assoc. Prof. Michael Tausz and Dr Stefan Arndt |
220410 Bushfire Planning and Management |
This subject covers the fundamentals of setting and achieving bushfire management objectives for ecological and fire protection purposes in natural ecosystems. It covers the contents of a fire management plan, setting objectives, developing fire prescriptions, undertaking monitoring and evaluation of the management process, and review. Subject coordinators:Dr Kevin Tolhurst |
220412 Wood Science and Technology |
In this subject students will develop a basic understanding of the structural and functional elements of a tree and how it grows in height and girth; the cell wall and how the anatomy of wood can be used for species identification; and the effect of wood anatomy on wood properties with particular emphasis on wood permeability. The subject will also introduce students to the biology of wood decay fungi and wood destroying insects; the behaviour, anatomy and physiology of the biological agents and a taxonomic description of the economic important fungi, termites, and wood borers. Students will be introduced to the basics of wood processing, including solid wood processing (sawmilling, drying and wood preservation), composite products manufacture and pulp and paper manufacture. This topic also develops an understanding of the issues facing the forest industries in Australia. Subject coordinator: Prof Peter Vinden |
220413 Forest Resource Assessment |
This subject gives quantitative understanding of the role of inventory (forest and tree measurement and assessment) in planning the management of native and plantation forest resources. It includes planning and execution of a forest assessment, and processing of assessment data to a form suitable for input into forest management. Subject coordinator:Mr Mark Stewart and Dr Julian Fox |
220414 Silviculture and Forest Dynamics |
This subject presents the science of growth and development of trees and stands and how this affects the production of different forest goods and environmental services. It covers the principles and practices of forest establishment, regeneration and management for different forest management objectives such as water, wildlife habitat or timber production. Subject coordinator: Mark Stewart and Simon Murphy |
220415 Sustainable Forest Management |
Sustainable forest management involves the integration of a wide range of economic, environmental and social values. This subject presents the basis for sustainable forest management, the policy framework governing forest management, the scientific basis of landscape ecology and tools and techniques for analysis, design of management practices in forest landscapes and processes for successful development and implementation of forest management plans. Subject coordinator: Prof Rod Keenan |
220416 Forests and Water |
This subject includes study of:
The subject will draw heavily on Australian examples, and will involve an overnight excursion to the River Murray area. Subject coordinator:Dr Leon Bren and Dr Gary Sheridan |
220418 Forest Planning and Business Management |
This subject covers the management of forest businesses and decision-making for public and private forest organisations. Students will be required to work as part of a team to investigate a forested area, analyse appropriate forest information and prepare and present a balanced forest plan that includes recommendations for future management options. Content includes:
Subject coordinator: Mr Mark Stewart |
220509 Forests, Carbon and Climate Change |
This subject will investigate the role of forests in the carbon cycle and in a changing climate. Students will learn the scientific basis for climate change and the impact that a changing climate might have on tree physiology and forest ecology. We will discuss the role forests play in the global carbon cycle and the degree to which forests or plantations can be used as a carbon sequestration option. We will evaluate the requirements for forest carbon accounting and will apply carbon accounting tools in hands-on accounting sessions with industry partners. This scientific understanding will be extended to discuss policy instruments under consideration in Australia and in the International arena for the potential role of forests in carbon emissions trading. The subject will equip students with state-of-the-art knowledge on the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems and with practical experiences in forest carbon accounting. Subject coordinators: A/Prof Michael Tausz and A/Prof Stefan Arndt |
220511 Forest Landscape Restoration |
At the end of this subject students will have an advanced understanding of:
Subject coordinators: Dr Lauren Bennett, Dr Stephen Livesley and Dr Sabine Kasel |