Module Information
Module Identifier
BS32720
Module Title
POPULATION & COMMUNITY ECOLOGY
Academic Year
2012/2013
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
BS22720
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Practical | 5 x 3 hour practicals |
| Lecture | 3 x 1 hour lectures per week |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Continuous assessment of practicals | 30% |
| Semester Exam | 3 Hours One 3-hour theory paper | 70% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 3 Hours 3 hour examination plus resubmission of coursework or an alternative | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
On competion of the course the student should
- be able to use the primary literature, including both theoretical and empirical studies, to expand knowledge of and interests in population and community biology
- be able to comment critically on the major concepts in the subject area as defined above.
Aims
The course introduces at an elementary level, theoretical developments in population and community ecology, with theory related, where possible, to empirical studies. The need to assess the underlying assumptions of the models developed is emphasised throughout.
Content
The subject addresses three main problems. What factors determine population abundance and changes in that abundance? What factors cause changes in the genetic composition of populations? What factors determine the number of species that can co-exist in a given area?
The population ecology component covers the following topics: estimation of population abundance, the construction and use of life tables, the concept of density dependence, life history theory, and population growth models emphasising the logistic model. The population dynamics of species with overlapping and non-overlapping generations are compared.
The use of genetic markers to define populations and to follow the dynamics of change in the genetic structure of populations is described.
The community ecology components discusses two-species models for predator-prey and competitive interactions, species diversity, food webs, and island biogeography. The relevance of community ecology for conservation is considered.
The population ecology component covers the following topics: estimation of population abundance, the construction and use of life tables, the concept of density dependence, life history theory, and population growth models emphasising the logistic model. The population dynamics of species with overlapping and non-overlapping generations are compared.
The use of genetic markers to define populations and to follow the dynamics of change in the genetic structure of populations is described.
The community ecology components discusses two-species models for predator-prey and competitive interactions, species diversity, food webs, and island biogeography. The relevance of community ecology for conservation is considered.
Reading List
Essential ReadingBegon, M. Townsend, C. & Harper, J (2005) Ecology 4th edition Backwell. Primo search Case, T.G. (2000) An illustrated guide to theoretical ecology Oxford University Press Primo search Cook, L.M., Callow, R.S. (1999) Genetic & Ecological diversity 2nd Stanley Thornes Primo search Krebs, C.J. (1994) Ecology Harper Collins. Primo search Ricklefs, R.E. & Miller, G.L. (1999) Ecology W.H. Freeman Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6