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Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Intermediate

Former School/College

Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Unit aim

Introduces students to major issues in combining trees with agricultural and grazing activities, with special emphasis on tropical regions. The technical biophysical and socio-economic issues in farm forestry are also considered.

Unit content

The following topics will be considered, discussed or reviewed:

  • The development of agroforestry in Australia and other countries
  • Trees in the agricultural ecosystem, commercial plantations, wildlife corridors, and amenity plantings
  • Shade tree systems (coffee, cacao), live fences, tropical home gardens, alley cropping, shelterbelts/windbreaks, silvopastoral systems, hedgerow intercropping for soil conservation
  • Site evaluation; the effect of edaphic factors and climate in species selection for contrasting sites; establishment and silvicultural techniques
  • Benefits and disadvantages of trees to other agricultural crops and animals; diversification of farm income producing activities
  • Financial mechanisms and structural impediments; tax law; pricing and marketing; planning regulations
  • Regulations impacting farm forestry
  • Whole farm planning
  • Agroforestry extension techniques, communication
  • Selecting trees for community needs in overseas situations; tropical agroforestry
  • The importance of carbon sequestration in agroforestry

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 demonstrate skills of critical thinking, analysis, and application of scientific methods in forest science and management; exercise informed judgement and make logical decisions and in relation to forest science and management.
2 demonstrate skills of critical thinking, analysis, and application of scientific methods in forest science and management; exercise informed judgement and make logical decisions and in relation to forest science and management.
3 evaluate issues with reference to sound ethical frameworks and sustainability and demonstrate well developed reasoning based upon principles of social justice and professional standards.
4 demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of sustainable forest science and management; apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in professional and community setting; demonstrate in-depth knowledge in forest science and management.
5 demonstrate cognitive and technical skills in self-managed learning; critically and objectively reflect on practice, and adapt to change; demonstrate information literacy skills
6 present clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas in forest science and management contexts; collaborate effectively on personal, scholarly, and professional terms.
7 demonstrate awareness and respect for cultural diversity and the relationship between people and their environment.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate skills of critical thinking, analysis, and application of scientific methods in forest science and management; exercise informed judgement and make logical decisions and in relation to forest science and management.
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
  2. demonstrate skills of critical thinking, analysis, and application of scientific methods in forest science and management; exercise informed judgement and make logical decisions and in relation to forest science and management.
    • GA2:
    • GA5:
    • GA6:
  3. evaluate issues with reference to sound ethical frameworks and sustainability and demonstrate well developed reasoning based upon principles of social justice and professional standards.
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA7:
  4. demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of sustainable forest science and management; apply disciplinary knowledge and skills in professional and community setting; demonstrate in-depth knowledge in forest science and management.
    • GA1:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  5. demonstrate cognitive and technical skills in self-managed learning; critically and objectively reflect on practice, and adapt to change; demonstrate information literacy skills
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
    • GA5:
  6. present clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas in forest science and management contexts; collaborate effectively on personal, scholarly, and professional terms.
    • GA2:
    • GA6:
    • GA7:
  7. demonstrate awareness and respect for cultural diversity and the relationship between people and their environment.
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA7: