This unit will cover essential knowledge of natural and impacted (mining, urban and industrial) landscape features and their management. You will gain a theoretical and practical understanding of landforms, biogeography, and the effects of natural and man-made impacts on the sustainability of local ecosystems. You will also learn how erosion control, vegetation surveys, modern techniques of rehabilitation, productive use of degraded land and rehabilitation success criteria are used to return disturbed landscapes into sustainable or productive ecosystems. You will gain practical experience through field trips to disturbed and rehabilitated sites. The emphasis will be on Central Queensland sites with links to broader Australian landscapes.

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from In-person feedback

Some students commented that visiting the open cut coal mine to see how land is rehabilitated after mining, and talking to practitioners about progressive rehabilitation and closure planning, was insightful and complementary to the online learning resources and associated assessment item.

Continue to include visits to mine site rehabilitation whenever possible. Continue to include up to date information about Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Planning, including the latest technical advice from the Office of the Queensland Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner.

Feedback from SUTE Unit Feedback – Areas to Improve

One student indicated that some of the video resources could be improved.

Review the few remaining older videos and update accordingly.

Feedback from In-person feedback and personal observations

The majority of students seemed to enjoy conducting field work, specifically, monitoring to assess landscape function and revegetation success. They also appeared to appreciate hearing from volunteers, industry, and government personnel involved in land rehabilitation and monitoring.

Continue to offer students the opportunity to conduct hands on tasks, such as sampling, monitoring and assessment. Continue to engage industry, government, and local restoration practitioners to give regionally relevant talks.

Feedback from Student performance data and email communication

Some students found research, data interpretation, and analysis more challenging than others.

Increase communication to students about the importance of being prepared, reading through all assessment materials, and seeking help through the appropriate channels as early in the term as possible. Continue to remind students about the research guides, videos, and other support resources available via the university library. Continue to set aside time during the residential school to assist students with processing the collected data.