Life on Land: Ecology, Evolution, Challenges, and Solutions

Develop knowledge and research skills in conservation

It is widely accepted that human interaction has negatively affected the phenomenal biodiversity and habitats on land. However, the exact nature of this damage is not as clearly understood.

On this four-week course from the University of the Sunshine Coast, you’ll unpack these negative impacts to gain a deeper understanding of how humans affect life on land.

You’ll develop research and analytic skills to understand how to measure and minimise human impact on terrestrial life. Ultimately, you’ll learn how to preserve terrestrial biodiversity and better protect land animals.

Explore terrestrial biodiversity and ecology

You’ll take a deep dive into the incredible biodiversity and ecology found on land. You’ll also be introduced to the form, function, and evolution of terrestrial animals.

As you learn what types of species exist, and how they have adapted to survive, you’ll gain greater insights into how to ensure animal conservation in these environments.

Uncover the human impact on the environment

You’ll examine how human behaviour exacerbates climate change, and the effects this has on terrestrial fauna and flora.

With this understanding, you’ll then take a look at new developments in terrestrial science, and how this is leading to conservation solutions.

Explore climate solutions with the University of the Sunshine Coast

Finally, you’ll unpack some of the solutions to help preserve life on land. From carbon sinks to counting animals, you’ll not only learn what is being done in conservation but how you can be part of this important fight.

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by the specialists at the University of the Sunshine Coast and learn from ecology experts to help develop your skills, confidence, and knowledge in terrestrial conservation.

This course is designed for anyone wishing to learn more about life in terrestrial systems. It is designed to showcase problems and possible solutions to one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG15) - Life on land. It is intended to be a sister course to the life below water course developed at USC.

The knowledge gained can be used to pursue opportunities outside environmentalism, in diverse fields such as business, education, finance, and eco-tourism.

• Biodiversity and ecology
• Welcome to Life on land
• Introduction to Biodiversity and ecology
• Functional ecology: What is it and why is it important?
• Coastal animals
• Australia’s unique mammal fauna
• Evolution and diversity of plants on land
• The incredible diversity of invertebrates
• Multiple choice test
• Form, function and evolution
• Introduction to Form, function and evolution
• Size and shape of animals
• Bat call: How bats use sound to hunt
• Spider venom: Composition and function
• Insect adhesion: How insects stick to smooth surfaces
• Animal adaptations to cold
• Multiple choice test
• Human impact and climate change
• Introduction to human impact and climate change
• Urbanization and noise effects on animals
• Conservation of wildlife in South East Asia: tigers, orangutans and rhinoceroses
• Climate change in the Pacific Islands: Challenges and solutions
• One health: Focus on zoonotic disease
• History of human trash and Australian bird nests
• Multiple choice test
• Showcasing solutions
• Introduction to Showcasing solutions
• Forests as carbon sinks
• Counting animals
• Mapping with drones
• Detection dogs for conservation
• Conservation genetics
• Multiple choice test
• Final thank you