Understanding and management  of ecosystems depends on quantifying many ecological services and properties. The primary emphasis in this course will be on understanding quantitative assessment and interpretation of measurements and models natural ecosystems. The course primarily uses trees and forests as case studies to provide students with an understanding of a range of measurement and modelling concepts, approaches and applications, as well as methods for determining the suitability of particular approaches for particular tasks.

Topics introduced will include measuring trees (diameter, height, volume, biomass, and canopy parameters); creating useful models to avoid making expensive measurements (height/diameter, volume and biomass equations); estimating change (growth and yield modellings). Field-based case studies will support integration of the lecture and reading material as well as providing "real world" examples of research and general application. Students will extrapolate their learning to consider measurement and modelling other parameters of ecological interest.

Honours Pathway Option

Students taking this option must demonstrate greater depth in the philosophy and use of modelling for environmental/forest management, including advanced inventory systems. They will attend six additional one-hour tutorial/workshops over the semester, which may be web-based, and will submit an alternative major project (25%) on a topic to be approved by the coordinator.

Computer-based quizzes to demonstrate student learning of underlying theories and practice of measuring and modelling trees (4-6 quizzes, 30%); 

A major project that integrates measurement of a sample of trees; development of empirical models; and presentation of a final report with management recommendations (8 pages; 30%);

A final exam that demonstrates student understanding of stand and forest level models and their ability to use models to derive relevant management and research conclusions. Students must achieve a minimum 40% in this exam to pass the course (3 hours; 40%)

65 Contact hours, comprising of lectures, workshops and field excursions

ENVS1003 or STAT1003

with FSTY2009 or SRES2009