SRL732 - Plants, Design and Ecologies

Unit details

Content

This unit seeks to explore and review the realm of plant science and natural ecology as it pertains to the profession of landscape architecture.  Part of the unit seeks to explore nomenclature, plant habitat and needs and plants generally in terms of their scientific and taxonomic use, language and peculiarities.  A second part seeks to build an individual appreciation and palette of plant materials pertinent to the practice of landscape architecture.  A third part explores basic concepts of ecological science including systems, scientific communities, the role of soils and geology, the links between plants and wildlife, and the food and medicinal properties of plants whether European, scientific and or Indigenous.  A fourth part will examine two ecosystem types, for example coastal and riverine, as case studies in indigenous plant and ecological systems and the manner in which such systems have been appropriated and used in landscape architecture design, rehabilitation, planning and or management projects as well as their despoliation, misuse, dilution by exotics and noxious species, fragmentation of corridors and patches, and the impact of human-driven land development activities.  And, lastly, the use of plants as a medium in design will be explored and considered.

Assessment

One group project (30%), one individual project (30%), one individual design project (30%) with accompanying oral presentation (10%)

Unit Fee Information

* Rate for all CSP students, except for those who commenced Education and Nursing units pre 2010
** Rate for CSP students who commenced Education and Nursing units pre 2010
Please note: Unit fees listed do not apply to Deakin Prime students.