Exploring Ecosystem Dynamics - Field Studies in North Australia - Intensive 4 (20 June-30 June 2025)

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Riley

Exploring Ecosystem Dynamics: Field Studies in North Australia is an undergraduate (ENV316) and postgraduate (ENV516) intensive unit centered on tropical savanna landscapes in northern Australia. Students build skills in field survey, data collection, data management, and analysis while studying environmental gradients and ecosystem function through landforms, soils, vegetation, and fire regimes. The 11-day field program includes a major return journey from Darwin to sites in the south, plus pre- and post-field online study.

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Course content and field program

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Important dates

EXPLORING ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS: FIELD STUDIES IN NORTH AUSTRALIA UNIT CODES ENV316 (undergraduate) ENV516 (postgraduate) UNIT TITLE Exploring Ecosystem Dynamics: Field Studies in North Australia UNIT COORDINATOR Lindsay Hutley [lindsay.hutley@cdu.edu.au](lindsay.hutley@cdu.edu.au)[ ](lindsay.hutley@cdu.edu.au)08 8946 7103 TIMING HE Intensive 4 20 June ‐ 30 June 2025 11 day intensive, plus online study before and after field intensive. LOCATION Starts at the CDU Casuarina Campus, Darwin Travels to study sites to the south NUMBERS 18 places available Exploring Ecosystem Dynamics: Field Studies in North Australia 20 June-30 June , 2025 COURSE OVERVIEW This unit introduces the tropical savanna biome and landscapes of northern Australia, while developing a range of skills in field survey and data collection methods, data management, analysis and presentation. Central to the unit is a 11-day field program, during which students will investigate environmental gradients and ecosystem function by assessing landforms, soils, vegetation and fire regimes. Land management practices are also considered from a range of perspectives - natural resource management, production and Indigenous. The field intensive involves a 1000 km return journey between Darwin visiting study sites to the south (Mataranka, Daly River, Adelaide River and Litchfield National Park) . In Litchfield NP the group will spend time at a research site managed by CDU Litchfield Savanna [SuperSite: www.tern.org.au/tern-observatory/tern-ecosystem-processes/](SuperSite: www.tern.org.au/tern-observatory/tern-ecosystem-processes/) [Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia is available as both an undergraduate and](Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia is available as both an undergraduate and)[ ](Ecosystem Function: Field Studies in North Australia is available as both an undergraduate and)[master level unit. Students from other universities can attend through cross-institutional enrolment](master level unit. Students from other universities can attend through cross-institutional enrolment)[ ](master level unit. Students from other universities can attend through cross-institutional enrolment)[into the unit.](into the unit.) Contact us Unit Coordinator: Lindsay Hutley T: 08 8946 7103 E: [lindsay.hutley](lindsay.hutley@cdu.edu.au)[@cdu.edu.au](lindsay.hutley@cdu.edu.au) [www.cdu.edu.au/science-technology/environment/intensive-units](www.cdu.edu.au/science-technology/environment/intensive-units) HOW TO ENROL 1. Ensure any prerequisite or assumed knowledge requirements are met: See CDU Unit Catalogue on [cdu.edu.au](cdu.edu.au) 2. Submit Change of Enrolment form or Cross Institutional Enrolment form for the Intensive 4 period to Student Central. Change of Enrolment forms will be approved by the Unit Coordinator based on meeting entry requirements and date of form submission. Other factors such as academic merit and course progress may be considered if there are large numbers of applicants. 3. If places are full, students may choose to go on to a waitlist incase places become available. COST Students cover the costs of their accommodation and meals during the field trip. CDU arranges very cost-effective accommodation with inexpensive camping options available. Meals are shared and arranged by CDU. All final arrangements TBA after enrolment. GETTING THERE Students are required to make their own way to Darwin before 20 June 2025 and home after 30 June 2025. The field intensive begins at the Casuarina campus at 8:30 am on 20 June for a briefing session and end on the afternoon of 30 June. IMPORTANT DATES | 13 June 2025 | Final date to enrol
(note places are limited and enrolment forms should be submitted as early as possible to allow for approval before this date) . | | --- | --- | | 23 May 2025 | Teaching commences
Students can access the unit's Learnline site with details of the cour

FAQs

What is the main focus of the unit Exploring Ecosystem Dynamics in North Australia?

The unit introduces the tropical savanna biome and northern Australian landscapes while developing field survey and data collection skills. It emphasizes investigating environmental gradients and ecosystem function.

How long is the field intensive and when does it run?

The field intensive is an 11-day program scheduled for 20 June to 30 June 2025. It begins at the CDU Casuarina campus with a briefing on 20 June and finishes in the afternoon of 30 June.

What kinds of study sites and topics are covered during the field program?

Students assess landforms, soils, vegetation, and fire regimes to examine ecosystem function. The journey includes Darwin and study sites such as Mataranka, Daly River, Adelaide River, and Litchfield National Park.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Riley