Module Identifier BS34620  
Module Title BIODIVERSITY OF BIRDS  
Academic Year 2005/2006  
Co-ordinator Dr Ian M Scott  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery Lecture    
  Practical   3 x 2 hour practical sessions  
  Other   3 local fieldtrips  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam3 Hours Theory Exam 3 hour theory exam70%
Semester Assessment Practical assessment Practical assessments will involve preparation of local bird reports and tests of identification skills30%
Supplementary Exam3 Hours Theory paper Resit 3 hour theory paper70%
Supplementary Assessment Coursework Resubmission of failed coursework or alternative30%

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate an appreciation of the evolutionary origins of avian biology

Describe and exemplify the major orders of the Palaearctic avifauna

Describe and discuss the avian biodiversity of the zoogeographical regions of the world

Demonstrate a knowledge of, and skills for the assessment of avian biodiversity and conservation requirements of UK

Aims

As the most visible and popular members of our wild fauna, birds dominate public debates and scientific studies on conservation in the UK. 10% of recent papers in the Journal of Applied Ecology are devoted to the effects of agriculture on birds, while the UK's largest conservation charity in the RSPB. Our graduates are not currently acquiring enough expertise in this important area. Among our current Honours year, interest in this modules was expressed by 86% of zoologists, 83% of environmental biologists, and 40% of biologists.

Brief description

The theme of the modules is avian biodiversity, which will be addressed through explorations of the evolution, phylogenetics, global distribution and conservation needs of birds.

Content

Biodiversity needs to be apprciated in an evolutionare context, and the modules will first review the exciting progress and controversies of the last thirty years about the origin of birds. Evidence for and against birds as a lineage of theropod dinosaurs will be discussed, along with theories of how avian characters, such as flight, feathers, endothermy, and parental care, might have been derived from a reptilian ancestry. The fossil record of bird evolution from the Jurassic to the Tertiary will be briefly surveyed. The orders of living birds will be systematically reviewed within recent phylogenetic frameworks based on molecular, morphological and behavioural characters, which some studies have correlated with biogeographical events such as the Cretaceous break-up of the southern continents from Gondwanaland. descriptions of avain orders will briefly deal with physiological and behavioual characteristics as well as habiti preferences. The lectures will adopt the latest taxonomic recommendations of the British Ornithologist's Union by separating the primative Palaeognathae (ostriches, rheas, emus, kiwis, etc.) from other living birds (Neognanthae), which in turn can be subdivided into Galloanserae (chicken- and duck-like birds) and Neoaves. Coverage of the Neoaves will emphasise the orders found in the zoogeographical region known as the Palaearctic (Eurasia - Africa to the Himalayers and Sahara). Although the Palaearctic, as our own region, will dominate the phylogenetic review, only 10% of known landbird species breed in this region. For an appreciation of global avian biodiversity, individual lectures will briefly outline the avifaunas of other major zoogeographical regions: the Neotropical (South-Central America, where 36% of species breed), Afrotropical (21%), Indomalayan (18%), Australasian (17%) and Nearctic (North America, 8%) regions. International migration patterns will be examined with theories of their physiological basis. Conservation of avain biodiversity, primarily in the UK ornithological and environmental organisations will be reviewed, along with the use of this data in accordance with the Convention of Bioogical Diversity of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. The processes by which birds are affected ecologically by agricultural change (which have occupied 10% of recent papers in the Journal of Applied Ecology) will be examined, with attention also being paid to wetland and marine habitits. Practicals will focus on bird identification skills, while local field trips will include the Ynyshir and Skomer Island bird reserves and the Nant yr Arian Red Kite Centre. Practical assessments wil involve preparation of local bird reports and tests of identification skills.

Module Skills

Problem_solving Problems will be set in systematics, species identification and field surveying.  
Research skills The collection and collation of material for reports.  
Communication Writing skills will be developed in the writing of reports.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will have to manage effectively information, data and time in order to satisfy the assessment demands.  
Team work The co-ordination of small groups for fieldwork.  
Information Technology The use of the internet to access data and to prepare reports. The use of subject specific software.  
Application of Number Numerical and statistical skills will be developed for surveying and systematics.  
Personal Development and Career planning The modules will develop subject-relevant vocational skills  
Subject Specific Skills Avian systematics Nature conservation  

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6