Fire is pivotal to the functioning of Australian ecosystems. This course explores a range of important themes concerning bushfires in Australian and international environments. The inter-dependent relationship between fire regimes and biota is explored using evidence from experiments and simulation modelling. An exploration of the sensitivity of fire regimes to natural and human factors then provides a context for exploring the likely effects of climate change and other aspects of global change on future bushfire dynamics. Similarly, it provides context for understanding the role of bushfire management, including prescribed burning, in modifying fire regimes. These themes are brought together in an analysis of managing likelihood of adverse outcomes from bushfires, including legal and other societal implications. Key components of the course are insights into ongoing research being undertaken in the Fenner School, the ANU College of Law, the University of Canberra, the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, CSIRO, and an international network of landscape fire modellers.
A quota will apply to admission to this course. Students may register their enrolment interest by completing a Registration for enrolment permission form available from the convenor or from the Student Administration office, Forestry Building (48).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Explain the pivotal importance of fire regimes for the present and future management of natural landscapes
2. Explain methods for exploring fire regime effects including through long-term experiments and landscape simulation
3. Explain how the sensitivity of fire regimes to natural and human factors provides a context for exploring effects of land management, and the likely effects of climate change and other aspects of global change, on bushfire occurrence
4. Explain principles for managing likelihood of adverse outcomes from bushfires, and for understanding subsequent legal and other societal implications of adverse outcomes
5. Acquire, demonstrate and generate knowledge on bushfire dynamics, effects, measurement and management
6. Select and research a relevant topic in depth (e.g. literature analysis, computer modelling)
Indicative Assessment
Students must submit one laboratory sheet and attend 80% of reading discussion groups to attain a final grade. Assessment will be based on:
•One-hour mid-block quiz on significance and management of fire regimes in natural landscapes, including introductory legal considerations, in Australian and overseas environments (20%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4)
•2000-word practical report, either constructing computer simulation model of plant dynamics subject to recurrent fire or analysis of data from a long-term fire ecology experiment (35%; LO 1, 2, 5)
•3000-word research paper (literature review or computer modelling) on relevant topic agreed with Course Convenor (45%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) .
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Summer Session (27 January to 5 February 2016). 65 contact hours taught as a two-week block course, comprising lectures, practicals and field excursions.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
Bradstock, R.A., Gill A.M. and Williams, R.J. (eds) (2012). Flammable Australia: Fire Regimes, Biodiversity and Ecosystems in a Changing World. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $3480 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $4638 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1349 | 27 Jan 2016 | 28 Jan 2016 | 05 Feb 2016 | 04 Mar 2016 | In Person | N/A |
