Natural resources underpin societies need for food, fiber, shelter and technology. As such the economies and lifestyles that humans have constructed depend on the long-term sustainable management of these natural resources; land, water, vegetation. The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of the complex land management issues associated with the biophysical drivers of historic and contemporary land management issues, the social and political stakeholders invested in Australian land management and critiques current management tools and strategies. This investigation is set within a natural resource management framework.

Topics will include: the complex components of rangeland management; mine site rehabilitation; conservation lands and national parks; coastal zone management. The course emphasises the interdisciplinarity of land resource management and examines content by investigating the physical, economic, social and institutional components of a problem.

 

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the natural and anthropogenic drivers of land degradation, past, present and future, at continental, regional and local scales
2. Explain and critique how land management strategies have been informed by (and continues to be shaped by) institutional perspectives, historical development, policy and social drivers
3. Demonstrate an understanding of tools used to measure, monitor and inform resource management decision-making
4. Critically assess the relationship between data and the interpretation(s) that stem from it, and how a lack of knowledge or uncertain knowledge influences resource management decision-making
5. Demonstrate a capacity to develop and effectively communicate land management strategies to a scientific/management community.

Research-Led Teaching

The research activities of a number of ANU research staff and government managers, who are guest lecturers, are the basis of this course. Students will receive lectures from experts across a range of environmental disciplines. Each lecturer is drawing directly from their own research experiences, management practices or publications. The tutorials and workshops follow a number of discipline case studies emphasising the complex cross-disciplinary nature of environmental management. The course field trips visit real working industry placements, for example cotton farm, broad acre cropping, gold mine, international registered wetlands. The speakers at each stop are actively engaged in real world

management.

Field Trips

There will be multiple field learning opportunities in this course.

• In class time near Canberra field learning. These activities will occur within the workshop time using the School's minibus fleet. No additional fees apply.
• An optional overnight field trip in the Cowra surrounds in the early part of the semester. An additional fee of approximately $150 (payment to ANU Science Shop ). Students will be asked to register their intention to participate in the field trip via the course Wattle site.
• Please see the CoS Field Trip page for more information.

Additional Course Costs

Planned, but to be confirmed, optional overnight field trips.

• overnight, approximately $150
• three-night field trip, approximately $300

Required Resources

No special resources are required.

Recommended Resources

Readings will be made available during the course.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments on assignments;
• Verbal comments on individual presentations;
• Verbal feedback to the whole class on group exercises and on assignments;
• Additional, individual feedback on request.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture A: Intro 'What are NRM issues'Lecture B: Focus of NRM governance	Essays/reports/seminars
2	Lecture A: Mining & minesite RehabLecture B: Mining & minesite Rehab
3	Lecture A: Mining rehab and LFALecture B: Mining rehab and LFA	Seminars Module 1(Minesite rehab)
4	Lecture A: Rangelands 1 - What, whereLecture B: Rangelands 2 - Wildlife Harvesting
5	Lecture A: Rangelands 3 - GoatsLecture B: Rangelands 4 - Grazing	Seminars Module 2(Rangelands management)
6	Lecture A: C in Rangeland soilsLecture B: Mgt soil salinity
7	Lecture A: Indigenous Land OwnershipLecture B: National Parks	Seminars Module 3 (National Pks/Conserv)
8	Lecture A: Box gum networkLecture B: National Landcare	Seminars Module 4(National Landcare Program)
9	Lecture A: Water dist in catchmentsLecture B: Algal bloom management	Seminars Module 5(Catchment management)
10	Lecture A: P runoff & algal bloom MgtLecture B: Black Water
11	Lecture A: Sea water ingressLecture B: Coast Adapt	Seminars Module 6(Coastal adaptation)
12	Lecture A: Catchment modellingLecture B: Course Review

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Research Seminar	25 %	*	*	1,2,5
Major research essay	25 %	17/08/2023	31/08/2023	2,3,5
Stakeholder Conversation Piece	25 %	28/09/2023	12/10/2023	3,4,5
Discussion paper - setting ground cover targets for NRM regions	25 %	26/10/2023	13/11/2023	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

No examination

Assessment Task 1

Research Seminar

As a group, research a land management topic. Each group member will argue the case of a different stakeholder. Talk duration is 8 mins with panel discussion

time at end. Active listening mark is awarded to rest of class in audience.

Word limit: Active communicator = 8 mins; Active listener = 500 words

Value: 25%

Presentation requirements: Written work submitted at end of class

Estimated return date: One week after submission

Students will present on different dates which will be discussed in class.

Assessment Task 2

Major research essay

Choose one essay topic (Broad range provided). International students can write on a case study of the topic in their home country.

Word limit: 2500

Value: 25%

Presentation requirements: Written work submitted via Turnitin

Estimated return date: 2 weeks after submission

Individual Assessment or Group Task (where applicable): Individual assessment piece

Assessment Task 3

Stakeholder Conversation Piece

Prepare a 2000-word report in the style of a journal article OR 'The Conversation' that describes:

• The key characteristics of shrublands that have become dysfunctional and formed clay pans?
• Describe how water-ponding techniques can be used to rehabilitate such degraded areas, and landscape function analysis used to monitor the rehabilitation.

Value: 25%

Presentation requirements: Written work submitted via Turnitin

Estimated return date: 2 weeks after submission

Individual Assessment or Group Task (where applicable): Individual assessment piece drawing on group collected field dataset

Assessment Task 4

Discussion paper - setting ground cover targets for NRM regions

Discussion paper on management of rangelands.

Word limit: 3000

Value: 25%

Presentation requirements: 26 October

Estimated return date: 13 November

Individual Assessment or Group Task (where applicable): Individual assessment piece

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

Assignments are submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your

assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records.

Hardcopy Submission

Hard copy submission is not permitted.

Late Submission

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request it in writing on or before

the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension is penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Feedback on assignments is provided electronically on Turnitin via the Wattle course page

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Re-submission of assignments is not permitted

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students