Land Assessment for Sustainable Use (EM311)

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. understand and describe the variation in extent (both spatially and temporally), of the major land degradation types in Australia, and changes in land managers' awareness and perception of these issues, and communicate this information to others in written or verbal formats;
2. understand and explain the biophysical processes responsible for major land degradation issues in Australia and elsewhere, and the influence of biophysical factors, such as soil type, and human intervention or management on their prevalence and severity;
3. evaluate land assessment scenarios, research and explain availability, design and application of land evaluation schemes and their relevance to the scenario, with due recognition of interactions between land use, land holder, natural environment and other factors;
4. evaluate land assessment scenarios, research and explain the links between - the environment, land management practices and the land holder - and their combined influence over sustainable use of natural resources; and
5. evaluate land assessment scenarios, research and explain the types of solutions most likely to be adopted by the land manager or organisation, with appreciation of the biophysical processes and human intervention or management practices that contributed to the land degradation issue.