Module Identifier
GG30520
Module Title
DYNAMIC BIOGEOGRAPHY
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Henry F Lamb
Semester
Semester 2

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 22 Hours. 11 x 2 hrs
Seminars / Tutorials 8 Hours. 4 x 2 hrs
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Coursework.  3000 word report  40%
Semester Assessment Coursework  10 minute seminar presentation (5% individual, 5% group)  10%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Written Examination.  2 questions from 4  50%
Supplementary Assessment Resubmission of coursework report.  40%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Written Examination.  2 questions from 4  60%

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

  1. Origins, aims and scope of biogeography
  2. Measuring and mapping biodiversity
  3. Climate and plant distribution
  4. Biodiversity through the last glacial-interglacial transition
  5. Why are the tropics so species-rich?
  6. Variation within species: geographic evidence for natural selection
  7. Island evolution: selection, speciation, radiation and extinction
  8. The dynamics of species ranges: natural invasions
  9. Postglacial forest dynamics in Europe and North America
  10. Alien invaders
  11. Past, present and future biodiversity

Reading List

Recommended Text
Avise, J.C (2000) Phylogeography - the history and formation of species Harvard University Press Primo search Brown, J.H. and Lomolino, M.V (1998) Biogeography Sinauer Associates Primo search Gaston, K.J. and Spicer, J.I (1998) Biodiversity - an introduction Blackwell Primo search Hengeveld, R (1990) Dynamic Biogeography Cambridge University Press Primo search Hengeveld, R (1989) Dynamics of Biological Invasions Chapman Hall Primo search MacDonald, G Biogeography - Space, Time and Life Wiley Primo search Whittaker, R.J (1998) Island Biogegraphy - Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Oxford University Press Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6