Ecosystems and their management - Syllabus Notes

Ecosystems and their managementBiophysical interactions which lead to diverse ecosystems and their functioningVulnerability and resilience of ecosystems

Impacts due to natural stressImpacts due to human induced modifications to energy flows, nutrient cycling, and relationships between biophysical components The importance of ecosystem management and protectionMaintenance of genetic diversity

utility valuesintrinsic valuesheritage valuesneed to allow natural change to proceed

Evaluation of traditional and contemporary management strategiescase studies of ecosystems
• TWO case studies of different ecosystems at risk to illustrate their unique

The Great Barrier Reef
characteristics including:
– spatial patterns and dimensions: location, altitude, latitude, size, shape
and continuity
Biophysical interactions including:
– the dynamics of weather and climate
– geomorphic and hydrologic processes such as earth movements,
weathering, erosion, transport and deposition, soil formation
– biogeographical processes: invasion, succession, modification,
resilience
– adjustments in response to natural stress
– the nature and rate of change which affects ecosystem functioning
– human impacts (both positive and negative)
– traditional and contemporary management practices.
The selected ecosystems at risk could include areas such as coastal dunes,
freshwater wetlands, inter-tidal wetlands, coral reefs, arid areas, alpine areas,
rainforests, temperate forests.

Coastal Dunes
characteristics including:
– spatial patterns and dimensions: location, altitude, latitude, size, shape
and continuity
Biophysical interactions including:
– the dynamics of weather and climate
– geomorphic and hydrologic processes such as earth movements,
weathering, erosion, transport and deposition, soil formation
– biogeographical processes: invasion, succession, modification,
resilience
– adjustments in response to natural stress (storm, washovers, washouts, blowouts)
– the nature and rate of change which affects ecosystem functioning
– human impacts (both positive and negative - sediment flow, coastal development, recreational uses, sand extraction)
– traditional and contemporary management practices.
The selected ecosystems at risk could include areas such as coastal dunes,
freshwater wetlands, inter-tidal wetlands, coral reefs, arid areas, alpine areas,
rainforests, temperate forests.

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