RS11720 - HABITAT ECOLOGY

Module Identifier

RS11720

Module Title

HABITAT ECOLOGY

Academic Year

2003/2004

Co-ordinator

Mr David R Powell

Semester

Semester 1

Other staff

Dr Graham P Harris

Course delivery

Lecture

40 Hours

Practical

24 Hours 5 x 3 hour practicals/field visits

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment Length/Details	Proportion
Semester Exam	1.5 Hours Outcomes assessed: 1, 2, 4	50%
Semester Assessment	Coursework: Practical Report Book Outcomes assessed: 2, 3, 4, 5	50%
Supplementary Exam	1.5 Hours	100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should:

understand the concepts of evolution, populations, communities, ecosystems, habitats, niche, ecological succession, the

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

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

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 and field visits, an introduction to the basic biological and ecological processes and principles operating in a range of British habitats. The fundamental scientific principles underlying all biological systems will be outlined and the basic skills of classification of organisms and habitats introduced. 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. Particular attention will be paid to the role of humans in the development and management of these key habitats.

Transferable skills

.1 Independent project work
Preparation of practical report book.

.2 IT and information handling
Results for some field exercises will be collated using spreadsheets.
Supplementary information for the module will be made available via the internet.

.3 Use and analysis of numerical information
Field exercises will comprise data collection using a variety of techniques. Data will be charted, analysed and interpreted as part of the assessed field reports.

.4 Writing in an academic context
Field reports are to be written up in standard scientific report format.

.7 Self-management
Production of practical report book will require good self-management

.8 Group activity
Some fieldwork activities will be carried out in groups.

Reading Lists

Books
Chapman J L and Reiss, M J (1998) Ecology: Principles and application 2nd. Cambridge University Press
Clegg, C J and McKean, D G (2000) Advanced Biology: Principles and applications 2nd. John Murray
Fitter R, Fitter A and Blamey M (1996) Collins pocket guide: wildflowers of Britain and Northern Europe 5th. HarperCollins
Rose, F (1991) The wildflower key, Britishg Isles and North West Europe; A guide to plan identification in the field, with and without flowers Warne
Taylor, D T, Green N P O and Stout, G W (1997) Biological Science 1 & 2 3rd. Cambridge University Press

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4