This will be a report (maximum word limit 1500 words) on the control of the aquatic weed Hymenachne.

The topic is:

A new housing development in tropical Australia has some problems associated with its parklands that have as a central focus some water bodies connected by a small stream. Although the parkland is mowed to within a few metres of the water’s edge and has good shade, the water bodies are choked with the aquatic weed Hymenachne amplexicaulis. As a result they are no longer aesthetically pleasing given that there is little open water (despite some of them being 30 m across). Upstream of the development there is farmland which is the likely source of the Hymenachne.

As an environmental scientist you have been asked to write a report detailing solutions to the weed problem. Include in your report:

· a brief introduction explaining the problem and including succinct details about the biology of the weed (e.g. details of its ability to spread, rate of growth);

· physical and chemical options for its control (including advantages and disadvantages of each method, types of chemicals to use and application methods);

· a list of plants to use for replanting the waterbody with macrophytes both on the edges (emergents) and also in the shallow parts of the water (including reasons why these species are to be used);

· an outline of a management programme including frequency of monitoring and spraying to keep weeds in check and

· a summary of your recommendations.

See Moodle site for further details.

Please check your assignment against the general assessment criteria below before submission.

You will need to check your assignment against these criteria if you want to maximise your marks for it. Ensure you cover each of the areas mentioned in the topic as these will be part of the marking scheme for the assignment. Correct format for referencing in the text and for the reference list at the end of the essay will also be important aspects. Use of refereed journal articles is encouraged – you should cite at least six of these.

General Assessment Criteria

Characteristics of F (Fail) work:

· Insufficient content, too brief/or superficial

· Irrelevant content

· Information supplied does not relate to topic

· Serious factual mistakes and/or inadequacies

· Apparent lack of comprehension of issues and concepts relevant to topic

· Deficiencies in logical argument.

Criteria for P (Pass) grade include:

· Adequate coverage of major aspects of assignment subject

· Evidence of comprehension of key issues and concepts

· Clear argument and expression of ideas

· Appropriately structured sentences and paragraphs

· Referencing using the Harvard system (accurate and consistent).

Criteria for C (Credit) grade includes criteria for P (Pass) work plus:

· Evidence of relevant reading beyond core material

· Comprehension and judgment relating to issues and concepts

· Application of reading/evidence/theory beyond the obvious

· Well organised material that supports the arguments

· Well developed thought processes and arguments.

Criteria for D (Distinction) grade includes criteria for C (Credit) work plus:

· Evidence of extensive reading beyond core material

· Critical comprehension and sound judgment relating to issues and concepts

· High degree of thought in the application of reading evidence theory

· Well structured argument

· Fluent expression of ideas.

Criteria for HD (High Distinction) grade includes criteria for D (Distinction) work plus:

· Extensive reading and gathering of appropriate evidence

· Rigorous critique of existing theories, concepts, issues

· A high degree of precision and rigour in the argument

· Evidence of capacity for independent and original thought.

This test will be based on the practical and theory material covered on Cyanoprokaryotes.
It will be of approximately 15 - 20 minutes duration.

For this assessment item you need to be able to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the practical and theoretical information presented on the cyanoprokaryotes. See Moodle site for further details.

Attendance at residential school is compulsory.

No assessment criteria.

This assignment involves the submission of an aquatic plant collection.

For the aquatic plant collection you will need to collect and identify (using a plant identification key) 10 plant specimens. These will need to come from four different categories - please see the Moodle site for further details.

See Moodle site for details.

Assessment criteria for the aquatic plant collection are:

In general, up to 10 marks will be awarded per specimen as follows:

Up to 4 marks for each specimen for correct labelling including collector, locality, date, identification and quality of specimens presented (properly dried and pressed).

Up to 6 marks for each specimen for correct identification of family, genus and species: this includes correct spelling of scientific names.