Understanding and management for 'wise use' of natural resources depends on quantifying ecological services and products, often over large areas/regions. The products include such diverse elements as carbon, biomass, solid wood product volumes, biodiversity, medicinal herbs and other rare non-timber elements. Such large regions cannot be measured in detail and some form of inventory or sampling is essential. The course goal is to promote student understanding of the art and science of forest resource management by focusing on the issues involved in quantitative assessment of trees and forests.
Topics introduced will include the presentation and use of state of the art tools and methodologies applicable to modern forest inventory and the formulation and planning effective and efficient inventory. More specifically:
- Introduction to sampling theory
- Issues involved in effective inventory design
- Equal and unequal probability sampling techniques
- Modern mensuration tools and techniques for quantifying various products
- examining modern inventory systems at various scales, e.g. national (National Carbon Accounting System); regional (SFRI); and stand (point-3P)
- Designing and implementing an unequal probability-based inventory
- Dealing with problem data
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. understand the underlying principles of equal and unequal probability sampling approaches
2. design and implement a modern inventory system, and determine the advantages and disadvantages of available systems
3. process inventory data to determine reliable estimates and confidence limits of targeted population parameters, including solid wood products, carbon and aspects of biodiversity
Indicative Assessment
Assessment will be based on:
- 4 computer-based quizzes (only 2 assessed) to show understanding of underlying theories and practice of sampling (40%; LO 1, 2, 3)
- 8-page major project that integrates development of a sample framework; measurement of a sample of trees; calculations; and presentation of a final report with management recommendations (60%; LO 1, 2, 3)
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
The course will have 4 weekly 2-hr lectures commencing week beginning 3 August 2015 and intensive teaching supported by web-based reading and interaction from 14-18 September 2015
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Fenner School of Environment and Society to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Assumed Knowledge
Requires ENVS6103 or equivalent knowledge.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $3096 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4146 |
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.
Winter Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1372 | 14 Sep 2015 | 15 Sep 2015 | 18 Sep 2015 | 18 Sep 2015 | In Person | N/A |