Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Natural Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Wildlife Management

• Unit Code

  SCI3115

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

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Description

This unit introduces students to the ecological principles underlying the management of native and introduced wildlife in Australia. It provides students with a broad overview of Australian wildlife biology and with the skills and techniques necessary to manage wildlife populations for conservation or economic purposes.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 2 units from SCI2116, SCI2118

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded SCI2370

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Apply a range of wildlife census techniques and demonstrate how to analyse survey data.
2. Apply adaptive management principles to wildlife management.
3. Demonstrate the practical skills required to manage wildlife populations in Australia.
4. Describe the population dynamics, carrying capacity and sustainable harvest of wildlife species in Australia.
5. Explain the origins, ethical considerations and primary objectives of wildlife management.
6. Explain the role of captive breeding in the management of threatened species.
7. Outline the basic principles of landscape ecology, habitat selection, foraging ecology, competition and predation.

Unit Content

1. Landscape and habitat requirements, and foraging strategies of a selected range of wildlife species.
2. Modern wildlife management techniques applied in Australia and other parts of the world.
3. Predator-prey interactions, competition and carrying capacities of selected wildlife species.
4. Research on the role of captive breeding and wildlife reintroduction programmes in the Australian context.
5. Sampling theory and wildlife census techniques, including practical application of field surveys, data collection and analysis.
6. The key factors regulating native wildlife populations in Australia.
7. The nature of human-induced habitat change on wildlife distribution and abundance.
8. The scope and roles of a wildlife manager.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, laboratories/field practicals

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Sinclair, A.R.E., Fryxell, J.M., & Caughley, G. (2006). Wildlife ecology, conservation and management. Blackwell Publishing.
• Begon, M., Townsend, C. R., & Harper, J.L. (2006). Ecology: From individuals to ecosystems (4th ed.). London, UK: Blackwell.
• New, T. R. (2006). Conservation biology in Australia: An introduction (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press.
• Gibbs, J.P., Hunter, M.J., & Sterling, E.J. (2008). Problem-solving in conservation biology and wildlife management. Blackwell Publishing
• Johnson, C. (2006). Australia's mammal extinctions: A 50000 year history. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
• Lindenmayer, D., & Burgman, M. (2005). Practical conservation biology. Melbourne, Vic: CSIRO Publishing.
• Attiwill, P., & Wilson, B. (Eds.). (2007). Ecology: An Australian perspective (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Vic: Oxford University Press.
• Fowler, J., Cohen, L., & Jarvis, P. (1998). Practical statistics for field biology (2nd ed.). Chichester, UK: John Wiley.

^ Mandatory reference

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