Coursework. 3500 word report. Resubmission of coursework report. Resit failed semester examination.
30%
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Explain how plant and animal populations respond to environmental change at a variety of space and time scales
Demonstrate an understanding of ecological, biogeographic, and evolutionary processes at population and community levels
Critically evaluate current research in biogeography from the primary literature in relevant scientific journals
Aims
Dynamic Biogeography aims to show how plant and animal species continually adapt to changing environmental conditions, human impacts, and diverse biological interactions. They do so by range changes, by redistribution of individuals within ranges, and by changes in the genetic composition of their populations. The module explains these processes, contributes to an understanding of evolutionary processes, and provides a conceptual basis for management and conservation of biodiversity.
Content
Origins, aims and scope of biogeography
Measuring and mapping biodiversity
Climate and plant distribution
Biodiversity through the last glacial-interglacial transition
Why are the tropics so species-rich?
Variation within species: geographic evidence for natural selection
Island evolution: selection, speciation, radiation and extinction
The dynamics of species ranges: natural invasions
Postglacial forest dynamics in Europe and North America
Alien invaders
Past, present and future biodiversity
Module Skills
Reading Lists
Books ** Recommended Text
Avise, J.C (2000) Phylogeography - the history and formation of species
Harvard University Press
Brown, J.H. and Lomolino, M.V (1998) Biogeography
Sinauer Associates
Gaston, K.J. and Spicer, J.I (1998) Biodiversity - an introduction
Blackwell
Hengeveld, R (1989) Dynamics of Biological Invasions
Chapman Hall
Hengeveld, R (1990) Dynamic Biogeography
Cambridge University Press
MacDonald, G Biogeography - Space, Time and Life
Wiley
Whittaker, R.J (1998) Island Biogegraphy - Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
Oxford University Press