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Life in Arid Lands - BIOS3161
 kangaroo

   
   
   
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 5
 
 
Fee Band: 2 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
  

Description

Forty-four percent of Australia is desert and a further 37% is semi-arid grassland or shrub communities. These arid lands contribute much to our unique biodiversity. We examine the history of the formation of the Australian arid lands, their characteristics relative to other arid parts of the world, the evolutionary history of the flora and fauna, adaptations of plants and animals to arid environments, the major arid lands ecosystems and conservation of biodiversity. We apply biological knowledge to issues of land degradation, salinisation of soils, dryland farming, feral animal control and wildlife management for a sustainable future. A field trip to Western NSW is an essential part of the course and students will incur expenses.

Assumed knowledge: BIOS2051 and BIOS2031 or BIOS2061 or equivalent knowledge of the systematics and morphology of animals and plants.

Note/s: A compulsory field trip will be held during the mid-session break and personal expenses will be incurred.

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.