This course will introduce learners to the causes and impacts of risk in terrestrial environments; highlighting drivers, potential impacts and scale, as well as mitigation and monitoring strategies. Learners will be introduced to different land-uses, including agriculture, mining and forestry, and consider policies, strategies and management approaches for ecological restoration. The course will be delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, field-visits and sample collection and laboratory classes.

2 - 3 hours of contact a week

None

None

1. Written report (75%): a critical analysis of land-use of an area chosen by the student and potential risk and mitigation approaches

2. Group oral presentation (25%): analysis of field data collected on the distribution of Lead (Pb) and potential remediation solutions

• To increase student understanding of the importance of land-use as a driver of environmental risk

• To highlight ongoing and historical impacts of terrestrial land-use change on ecological and human communities

• To develop critical thinking, risk identification and assessment, decision making, reporting and communication skills

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Identify sources of risk from different land management approaches

■ Critically evaluate the implications of land-use to human and ecological communities

■ Critically evaluate mitigation and adaption approaches to alleviate, negate or restore ecosystems

■ Demonstrate relevant presentation, analytical, risk assessment and reporting skills

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.