MB3270 Coastal, Estuarine and Mangrove Ecosystems Assignment Questions | JCU

Assessment 1 

Aligned Subject Learning Outcomes

• Combine existing ecological knowledge with knowledge specific to tropical coastal ecosystems into a broad-based understanding of the functioning of tropical coastal, estuarine and mangrove ecosystems.
• Gain an understanding, and the confidence to tackle multidimensional issues and pressures impacting tropical coastal ecosystems, and knowledge of the pathways and constraints to their solutions, across biological, social, economic and political dimensions. 
• Acquire experience in scientific problem-solving in the context of tropical coastal ecosystems.
• Gain personal and professional skills to operate at a specialised level either within the academic or applied management/research fields. 

Assessment 1: Description 

Each day during the morning lecture in Week 1, a question will be presented to students during the Lecture (only a single question each day) for students to follow up their own research or literature search to complete the question. Word limits will apply each week, at most 300 words, though some daily tasks will require data analysis and interpretation of information provided during classes. 

Responses to all questions should be collated and presented in a single MS Word document (a template will be provided) by the due date. Your final reflection responses must be submitted to LearnJCU. This assessment will be completed by students individually; there is no group work required here, and responses will be checked by JCU SafeAssign during submission.

Assessment 2

Aligned Subject Learning Outcomes

• Combine existing ecological knowledge with knowledge specific to tropical coastal ecosystems into a broad-based understanding of the functioning of tropical coastal, estuarine and mangrove ecosystems.
• Gain an understanding, and the confidence to tackle multidimensional issues and pressures impacting tropical coastal ecosystems, and knowledge of the pathways and constraints to their solutions, across biological, social, economic and political dimensions. 
• Acquire experience in scientific problem-solving in the context of tropical coastal ecosystems.
• Gain personal and professional skills to operate at a specialised level either within the academic or applied management/research fields.

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Assessment 2: Description

In the laboratory practical, students will answer 25 questions that contain plant or animal species collected from local estuaries and undertake water quality testing to decipher source locations. All practical questions are drawn from the readings and course materials. Species will have been seen by students or discussed over the course. Students are not permitted to use any notes, computer or mobile phone device to assist with the identification of these species or answering questions at stations.

Assessment 3

Aligned Subject Learning Outcomes

• Combine existing ecological knowledge with knowledge specific to tropical coastal ecosystems into a broad-based understanding of the functioning of tropical coastal, estuarine and mangrove ecosystems.
• Gain an understanding, and the confidence to tackle multidimensional issues and pressures impacting on tropical coastal ecosystems, and knowledge of the pathways and constraints to their solutions, across biological, social, economic and political dimensions.
• Acquire experience in scientific problem-solving in the context of tropical coastal ecosystems.
• Gain personal and professional skills to operate at a specialised level either within the academic or applied management/research fields.

Assessment 3: Description 

During the Blacksoil Creek field trip, students will collect data, record observations, and take photos to support the preparation of their field report assessment of the study area. Here, a field report is a detailed documentation of observations and analysis of specific phenomena, behaviours, processes, ecosystems, and places. Grounded in theoretical frameworks and researchers’ analysis, it aims to identify solutions for a particular project or case study. 

Field stations will be set up, where students will work in groups to discuss the data collected (both by themselves and others), the methods of data collection, and the challenges associated with this process. Blacksoil Creek is a small estuary located south of Townsville. It is a relatively low-impact system, with a variety of natural habitats, including mangroves, salt marsh, unvegetated areas, and high intertidal vegetation communities. 

The estuary is hypothesised to be ecologically significant due to the ecosystem functions and services it provides to local and regional communities. It is also part of the Bowling Bay Ramsar Wetland. The field report will include an introduction, overview of the methods and results, and discussion of the critical challenges that are facing this coastal estuary (e.g. coastal development, impact from local users, climate change, erosion). The field report should address the conditions of the estuary, using the collected data to assess its environmental state. Additionally, students should consider potential management interventions that could be implemented to protect the natural values of the estuary, particularly given that the estuary is adjacent to the Bowling Green Bay Ramsar wetland and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area.