Aims of the module
On completion of this module, students should:

• understand the concepts of evolution, populations, communities, ecosystems, habitats, niche, ecological succession, the
• cycling of matter and energy flow;
• be familiar with a range of terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats;
• be able to identify the important abiotic factors in a habitat and use appropriate means of recording them in the field;
• be able to devise appropriate sampling strategies and apply appropriate sampling techniques for recording the distribution and
• abundance of a range of organisms in a variety of habitats.
• demonstrate an understanding of classification systems and the nomenclature of groups of organisms and of habitats.
• be able to use identification keys;
• demonstrate an understanding of the adaptations to the environment of plants, animals and micro-organisms;
• be able to account for the geographical distribution and historical development of habitats in relation land use, abiotic and
• biotic factors;
• be able to present field data in an appropriate manner;
• be able to apply simple statistical analysis to field data;
• be able to interpret field data in relation to ecological principles.

Brief description
This module will provide, through a range of lectures, practicals, visits and a residential field course, an introduction to the basic biological and ecological processes and principles operating in a range of British habitats. It will outline the basic scientific principles underlying biological systems, and highlight the differences between groups of organisms, identifying their adaptations to particular habitat rquirements. Practical application of field and laboratory techniques will help develop an understanding of the concepts of niche, habitats, populations and communities that will provide a foundation for the study of a variety of important British habitats.