BIOL8711 Ecology GE

This topic explores the dynamics of natural populations of animals and plants. It focuses on the description of population demography through life table analysis and population growth models, the regulation of population size, and different life history strategies as adaptations for population persistence. It further explores the major interactions between species in ecological communities. These include adverse interactions such as competition between species within trophic levels, and predator-prey, parasite host, plant herbivore interactions across trophic levels. Finally we will discuss how we represent communities, food webs as flows of energy and nutrients. Examples from Australian ecosystems will be considered.

This topic aims to provide an introduction to the fundamental ideas and practices of the science of ecology.

1. Explain the key concepts of population dynamics and understand issues involved with conservation, management or control of populations
2. Explain the key concepts of interactions among species within an ecological community and the flow of energy within a community
3. Understand and operate basic mathematical formulae which model population growth, and derive basic parameters describing life history characters of a population
4. Understand theoretical models that explain the dynamics of population interactions
5. Discuss the main issues involved in the evolution of life history strategies in a population
6. Discuss the range of factors that can influence the regulation of population size in natural and managed conditions
7. Have the practical skills to undertake basic ecological studies