Unit Outline

This unit introduces students to the idea of ecosystem services by exploring the benefits that nature provides for people. Whether these benefits are traded in markets or occur in non-market settings, the ecosystem service framework is key to sustainable management of resources into the future. Students will analyse the use of economic tools to manage key ecosystem services such as the provision of water in a dry country, air and water quality, food, fibre or habitat provision for native flora and fauna in landscapes.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Use economic concepts to describe natural capital and ecosystem services.
2.	Assess market and nonmarket valuation of ecosystem services as well as the methods for computing values.
3.	Analyse environmental and resource problems as failures of the economic system to properly coordinate people's incentives and actions.
4.	Effectively communicate economic arguments supported with appropriate evidence.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	BEA101

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Proposal Presentation	Week 4	15 %	LO1, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Component of the Ecosystem Services Assessment Group Report	Week 7	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Updated Workplan	Week 12	5 %	LO1, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Presentation on Market Based Instruments	Week 12	20 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 5:	Ecosystem Service Assessment Group Report	Week 14	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Proposal Presentation

Task Description:

Presentation on the ecosystem services problem to be researched by the group as well as on the group’s workplan for completing the project. Face-to-face students present in the workshop. Distance students record presentation and post on discussion board. Students submit final set of slides and workplans. Additional details and a rubric will be available on MyLo.

Task Length:

Approximately 10-minute presentation

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain applicable concepts in ecosystem services.	LO1
2	Communicate economic concepts relevant to the management of ecosystem services.	LO4
3	Describe and motivate the project supported by relevant economic concepts.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Component of the Ecosystem Services Assessment Group Report

Task Description:

Analysis of an ecosystem service that will contribute to the group report (based on the workplan). The analysis is prepared by each individual student. Additional instructions and rubric will be provided on MyLo.

Task Length:

Approximately 1000 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain applicable economic concepts in ecosystem services.	LO1
2	Describe how markets can value the ecosystem service.	LO2
3	Explain why markets may fail to value the ecosystem services appropriately.	LO3
4	Communicate economic thinking in a written work.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Updated Workplan

Task Description:

Groups submit an updated workplan. The revised workplan describes tasks completed as well as provides a detailed description of the final tasks to be complete and by whom.

Task Length:

No more than 500 words or three pages if using tables or diagrams.

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

5 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify applicable concepts in ecosystem services.	LO1
2	Communicate workplan in written form.	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Presentation on Market Based Instruments

Task Description:

Presentation on the use of market-based instruments to manage ecosystem services. Additional details provided on MyLo including a rubric.

Task Length:

Approximately 15 minutes.

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Assess the merits of alternative environmental and resource policies to remedy market failures.	LO3
2	Explain applicable concepts in ecosystem services.	LO1
3	Communicate key economic concepts relevant to the management of ecosystem services.	LO4

Assessment Task 5: Ecosystem Service Assessment Group Report

Task Description:

The group report is an in-depth analysis of the change in ecosystem services. The ecosystem service report consists of the edited individual components (written by group members) plus additional sections such as an introduction, background, discussion, conclusion and references. By working in groups, students are able to develop a deeper understanding of how to apply economic concepts in the context of environmental management. Additional instructions and rubric will be provided on MyLo.

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.