BIO3100 · Advanced methods in field ecology

Overview

Many ecologists work in consultancies, government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that deal with either generating or interpreting ecological data. Both data generation and interpretation require that graduates understand best practice approaches for sampling, monitoring and simple experimentation. In this unit you will encounter the hands-on practicalities of designing and carrying out robust sampling or experimental approaches in field ecology. You will learn about scales of replication, the issues around randomisation, effective controls, stratified sampling and maximising the inferential power of sampling regimes or experiments despite logistic constraints. This unit focuses on these issues directly, integrating fieldwork, data collection and analysis. You will develop your employability skills as you undertake a range of data collection approaches for working in various habitats and systems (e.g. plankton sampling in freshwater systems, insect sampling, vegetation surveys). The practical component comprises a field course during O-week, where you will work in groups on specific aspects of experimental design.

Areas of study: Ecology and conservation biology Plant sciences Environmental science

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Evaluate how uncertainty and variation in ecological systems require rigorous designs in order to make robust biological inferences;
2. Apply different experimental and sampling designs to explore signal to noise ratios in biological data;
3. Optimise experimental and sampling approaches in real world settings;
4. Create fit-for-purpose experimental design approaches for collecting biological data based on varying resources;
5. Communicate the findings from ecological sampling studies in a robust but accessible way.

Workload

• 35 hours of field study; • 24 hours of workshops, and • 85 hours of independent study per semester

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.