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ENV207 - Fire Ecology and Management in Northern Australia

2026

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Environmental Science

Credit Points

Unit Level

200

Equivalent Units

(SBI263)

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

Fire ecology and management is an emerging and exciting area of study. While fire is a ubiquitous element in the Australian landscape, fires and fire management in northern and southern Australia differ in many ways. Fire in northern Australia is literally a 'hot topic', and issues are keenly contested within the discipline and among stakeholders. The study of fire ecology and management integrates the disciplines of ecology, management and policy. This unit includes a thorough coverage of fire science (measurement, attributes and factors determining fire intensity), ecological impacts and adaptation of plants and animals to fire, as well as fire management issues, such as different stakeholder perspectives on fire, and their different approaches to use of fire.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Explain broad foundational knowledge of fire behaviour and fire regimes in northern Australia to specialist audiences.
2.	Analyse and evaluate the potential impact of fire regimes on plants and animals in northern Australia.
3.	Examine fire management practices across northern Australia, and the ecological, cultural and social implications.
4.	Describe and compare regional fire management strategies from northern Australia, and make recommendations from the literature to improve future regional fire management.
5.	Communicate a broad understanding of fire ecology and management literature to a range of audiences.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Short answer questions: Fire regimes and fire behaviour in northern Australia (500 words)	5%	1
2.	Mid semester test: Questions on Fire Fundamentals learning materials (weeks 2-5) (1 hour)	25%	1
3.	Oral presentation: The impact of fire on plants and animals in northern Australia (8 minutes)	25%	1,2,3,5
4.	Essay: Review of current fire management practices and regional fire management plans in northern Australia (2000 words)	35%	1,3,4,5
5.	Participation: Tutorial or online discussion - assessing communication and understanding (weekly participation)	10%	1,2,3,4,5

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2026	Semester 2	Internal	Casuarina Campus	OLR	View
2026	Semester 2	External	External Studies	OLR	View

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OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2026 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)
2026 Incidental Fees (PDF)