UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit examines the principles and challenges of managing threatened species and ecological communities (EC's), drawing from global examples, but with a practical investigation of the Endangered Banksia Woodlands of the Swan Coastal Plain. In interactive lectures and discussion sessions students will learn how and why particular management decisions were taken, will analyse successes and failures, and will understand how ‘best practice' can be achieved via mechanisms such as the IUCN green listing process.

In close collaboration with the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), and relevant UWA researchers, students will conduct field research in Banksia woodlands near Perth. In so doing they will learn techniques for mammal surveys, population modelling, weed assessment, and assigning condition indices to vegetation, and will use these insights in a series of written assignments.

The unit aims to bring students together with local experts and organizations involved in threatened species and communities management to enhance their expertise and employability, to contribute to long-term data collection within an iconic threatened ecological community, and to develop students' critical thinking and written and verbal communication skills.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate competence in fieldwork and analytical skills that relate to threatened species or communities management; (2) demonstrate awareness of global examples of threatened species management with a focus on recent research and initiatives; and (3) conduct relevant research on a threatened species to compile an IUCN green list assessment.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) a portfolio of short assignments based on a field visit, computer laboratory and engagement with a visiting expert; (2) a verbal presentation describing and critiquing a long-term management program for a threatened species; and (3) a written report detailing an assessment against IUCN criteria for whether a threatened species meets standards for green listing. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the a written report detailing an assessment against IUCN criteria for whether a threatened species meets standards for green listing component.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Nicki Mitchell and Dr Pieter Poot

Unit rules

Prerequisites

enrolment in

Master of Biological Science (72520)
or Master of Science (70630)
or Bachelor of Science (Honours) (BH004)

Contact hours

One interactive seminar per week including student-led interviews with conservation practitioners, formal presentations, and training workshops. Fieldwork: Up to 15 hours in total, with flexibility in the timing of student-led fieldwork.