Terrestrial ecology is the study of how organisms on land interact each other and the environment. Terrestrial ecosystems vary dramatically around the globe; ranging from arid desserts to tropical rainforests, a combination of biotic and abiotic factors govern the structure and performance of ecological communities. This paper explores a number of major concepts in terrestrial ecology, from how communities are locally structured to global patterns in species diversity. It also covers how ecological theory informs the conservation and restoration of degraded ecosystems using both international and New Zealand examples.

This paper includes 19 lectures (Tue and Wed) and 4 practicals (1 two-day field trip and 3 lab sessions). The two-day field trip is a central component of this paper and will require an additional contribution of $35 to cover each student's accommodation expenses.

Assessment is by two lab reports and one larger research report which are all based on data collected during the field trip, two one-hour tests, and a final exam. Attendance and participation in the labs are assessed.

Important note for international students: For international students in New Zealand under student visas, regular attendance is part of your visa obligation and is checked as a requirement on the University under the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students, to which the University is a signatory. Academic staff are formally required to monitor attendance in classes and submission of assessment events/items and to report to Waikato International in the event that any problem with irregular attendance or non-submission is not resolved.

This course is assessed via internal assessment and an exam, with a ratio of 60:40. The internal assessment of 60% will consist of one group report carried out during the field trip (5% of the final grade), two individual reports following the field trip (35%; i.e., 10% and 25%), and two tests (20%; i.e., 2 x 10%). Test 1 will cover the preceding lecture material, and Test 2 will cover all lectures delivered after Test 1. The exam will cover all material.

This paper has a Moodle page (http://elearn.waikato.ac.nz) where you will be able to access pdfs of lecture notes and powerpoints, lecture recordings, and reading material. There are also discussion forums where you can both ask and answer questions.

PLEASE NOTE: Moodle will be used for class notices etc and it is your responsibility to check the site regularly. Instructions provided on Moodle and in lectures are considered to be given to the class as a whole.

The contact time for this course consists of 19 hours of lectures, 9 hours of lab sessions and about 12 hours for the field trip (40 hours total). There are also three practical reports and two tests.