49126 Environmental Management of Land
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2017 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10066 Bachelor of Engineering Science OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 120 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject examines the basic concepts and principles of land resource compilation requirements for environmental planning and management. Topics include management strategies for wetland development, coastal rehabilitation, as well as for landscapes with acid sulphate soil, salinity and contamination problems. Knowledge is also gained in environmental auditing and in visual assessment used in landscape design. On completion the student should be able to interpret and critically evaluate the affects of physical and social limitations on urban and semi-urban land use change and devise sustainable development and management strategies.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Recognise the broad concepts and issues involved in the discipline of land resource management. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Explain composition, structural functional, economic, legal, risk and social aspects of land management. |
| 3. | Use basic methods and techniques of resource data collection, analysis and evaluation. |
| 4. | Utilise observation, and a sense of enthusiasm, for responsible environmental ethics and aesthetic awareness with respect to the management of land. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following faculty Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) and Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 competencies:
- Identify constraints, uncertainties and risk of the system (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.) (A.3)
- Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies (B.1)
- Synthesise alternative/innovative solutions, concepts and procedures (B.3)
- Apply decision-making methodologies to evaluate solutions for efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability (B.4)
Teaching and learning strategies
Within the formal situation, students will learn the basic criteria required for land evaluation and management.
Outside the formal class, the students will learn to observe and then collect and analyse data to be used in their major field assignment in which a land use change is proposed.
Student learning in the subject is facilitated through three block sessions. Lectures will be put online for both block and distance mode students. A discussion board will be also available for both block and distance mode.
Content (topics)
The subject will initially deal with the collection, analysis and usage of landscape resources: which ones to use; how to use them; and when to use them. It will cover data collection, analysis and mapping including GIS to provide an integrated systems approach to environmental management. Case studies and examples of construction and management of wetlands, contaminated sites and coastal environmental reconstruction including management of acid sulphate soils are used throughout the subject to illustrate the use of resources.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Assignment 1
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.3, B.1, B.3 and B.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 75% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Exam
| Intent: | Students will be expected in the exam to demonstrate that they have developed the basic knowledge of the methods and techniques of resource data collection, analysis and evaluation for land use change and management. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.3, B.1, B.3 and B.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Examination | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 25% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2 hours and 10 minutes reading | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria: | [no content] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, you must
- achieve 50% on the major assignment;
- achieve 50% in the final exam.
Required texts
Lecture and Reading Materials (LRM) available for purchase at the UTS Union Shop, Broadway, Tower Building, Level 3.
References
The subject matter of this course is such that a specific text has not been suggested. Many readings with references have been provided for you but it is expected that you will find other references for your specific site or generally that will help you with your assignments. Further references which might be useful include articles from Environmental Engineering Journals.
And texts such as
Bridgman, H, Dragovich, D & Dodson J (2008) The Australian Physical Environment
Oxford University Press
Bridgman, H., Warner, R. and Dodson, J (1995) Urban Biophysical Environments. Oxford University Press (good background information)
Brian Murphy and Pam Hazelton (2014). Chapter 5. Advanced tools for interpreting data. In “Contaminated Soils. A Guide to Sampling and Analysis”. Maria Gavrilescu and Laura Bulgariu (eds). Future Science Group. Unitec House, 2 Albert Pl, London. (doi: 10.4155/9781909453166)
Dan L Perlman (2005) Practical Ecology for planners, developers and citizens Island Press*
Diana H. Wall (2004) Sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services in soil sediments Island Press*
Dear, S E, Ahern, C R, O’Brien, L E, Dobos, S K, McElnea, A E, Moore, N G and Watling, K M (2014). Soil management guidelines. In Queensland acid sulfate soil technical manual. Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts (DSITIA), Queensland. Version 4.0.
G J Churchman, R W Fitzpatrick, R A Eggleton (1995) Clays: Controlling the Environment CSIRO publishing*
Geoffrey Carey, David Lindenmayer and Stephen Dovers (2003) Australia Burning –Fire Ecology, Policy and Management Issues CSIRO publishing*
Hazelton P and Murphy B (2011) Understanding Soils in Urban Environments CSIRO Publishing*
Caswell T and Holdsworth S (eds) (2004) Protecting the future: stories of sustainability from RMIT University CSIRO Publishing 2004*
Caird Ramsay and Lisle Rudolph (2003) Landscape and Building Design for Bushfire Areas CSIRO publishing*
Rose,C.V. (2004) An introduction to the environmental physics of soil, water, and watersheds New York: Cambridge University Press*
Turner et al (2004) Where river meets the sea: exploring Australia’s estuaries. Indooroopilly Qld: Cooperative Research Centre for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management*
Tongway David J. and Ludwig John A.(2011) Restoring Disturbed Landscapes. Putting Principles into Practice. Society for Ecological Restoration International ( IslandPress:Washington)
*available in UTS Library
