Landscape restoration involves several stages, such as planning, execution (on-site restoration), and evaluation of restoration success. In Assessment 1, you will gain experience in evaluating the success of a restored landscape. You will produce a research report that is informed by a review of recent literature and contains the methods, results, discussion, and conclusions of a Landscape Function Analysis that you will conduct using data that you will collect from the field.

Assessment 1 is comprised of three activities that build on each other and directly relate to the practical component of the compulsory Residential School. The three activities are:

• Activity 1 – Literature Review and preparation for field work
• Activity 2 – Landscape Function Analysis data collection (field work)
• Activity 3 – Results interpretation and preparation of Final Research Report

Further guidance and recommended approaches for these activities are provided in the Task Sheet on the unit Moodle site.

Level of GenAI use allowed:

Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas. 

You must acknowledge and correctly reference all sources of information (including any large language models) that you use. There is no requirement or expectation to use GenAI if you prefer not to.

• Organisation and planning – including level of effort and standard of completion of Activity 1 by the Activity 1 due date (20%)
• Information literacy skills – including evidence of appropriate database searches, accurate review of literature from a broad range of credible sources, and correct referencing style, including in-text citations(20%)
• Data analysis and presentation – including how well the data were collected, processed, and presented (in tables and graphs), using appropriate software packages (20%)
• Communication skills – including use of an appropriate academic writing style, presenting the work as per the specified report layout, and providing an accurate and succinct interpretation of results (20%)
• Critical thinking skills – including evaluation of findings, critique of the restoration work and responses to the targeted discussion questions (20%) 

Evidence-based practices and policies inform the management and rehabilitation of mined land in Queensland.  For Assessment 2 – You will use the provided resources and further research to propose a Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP) schedule for a fictitious mine site. 

The provided resources will draw on information from the Office of the Queensland Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner, the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, other relevant government agencies, and the broader scientific literature.

You will be provided with:

• Information about the fictitious mine site
• The PRCP statutory guideline
• The PRCP schedule template
• Examples of approved PRCPs (available from the public register)
• Technical and scientific publications about final landforms, post-mining land uses, and non-use management areas (if applicable)

Further guidance will be provided in the Task Sheet on the unit Moodle site.

Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 3: You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any Al-generated content you use. 

You must acknowledge and correctly reference all sources of information (including any large language models) that you use. There is no requirement to use GenAI if you prefer not to.

• Accuracy of information summarised from the provided examples (15%)
• Demonstration of understanding of rehabilitation planning and best practices (25%)
• Reasonableness and level of detail of proposed rehabilitation plan (PRCP schedule) (30%)
• Communication skills - clear and succinct style, use of appropriate formatting (10%)
• Correct and appropriate referencing (10%), and evidence of critical evaluation (10%)

Assessment 3 is an Open Book, Timed Online Written Test.

The test has been designed to assess your understanding of concepts covered throughout the term.

The test is timed. The maximum time to complete the test is 3 hours (180 minutes).

Online, typed, written answers to short answer and long answer questions will be required.

The Online Written Test must be completed individually, and answers must be of your own work.

Level of GenAI use allowed:

Level 1: No AI. You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.

All quiz responses must be your own. Collusion with others or the use of Gen AI to produce any part of the answers to this assessment is not permitted. You may be required to provide further information to demonstrate that the answers provided are your own and that you understand the concepts being assessed.

The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.

Assessment 3 - Open Book, Timed Online Written Test will be marked out of 180 marks.

The maximum marks available for each question will be clearly indicated in the online test.

The number of marks allocated for a question will give an indication of the time (number of minutes) to spend on that question.

Marks will be awarded in accordance with the level of understanding demonstrated, the level of detail provided, and the appropriateness of the answer to the question.