Module Information

Module Identifier
BR21420
Module Title
Ecological Surveying
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Dr Dylan Gwynn Jones
Semester
Semester 2
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
BG21420
Reading List
View example reading list on Aspire
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Field course report  2500 Words  60%
Semester Assessment Essay  1200 Words  40%
Supplementary Assessment Field course report  2500 Words  60%
Supplementary Assessment Essay  1200 Words  40%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

appreciate current thinking about the nature of plant communities within landscapes

employ the terms used in plant and community identification and be confident in the field identification of a range of plants and animals.

appreciate the need for biological recording schemes and devise appropriate sampling strategies and recommend sampling techniques for a range of species, habitats and circumstances.

undertake a community survey, present and analyze their data. Summarizing results to appropriate scientific standards.

Brief description

The module describes how plant communities are inter-related at the landscape scale. Within the landscape exists the basic matrix which includes patches of communities or complex mosaics. Both reflect the pattern of resources and constraints that occur within the landscape (in time and space). Landscapes can behave like "supersystems" and connectivity is important in their functioning. Populations of individual species may not be isolated, but form metapopulations which contribute to their stability.

Students will learn how to identify species and surveying skills in a range of contrasting Welsh habitats over the Semester.

Aims

This modules aim to provide students with a thorough understanding on the theory and supportive practical evidence on how plants, communities and landscapes are formed and how they operate. It also explores the movement of animals within and between habitats. Through field work the students gain knowledge and skills in identifying plant, species, communities and habitats.

Content

The module elaborates modern themes in community ecology. The nature of the community is discussed and how plant communities are inter-related at the landscape scale. Within the landscape it is possible to determine a basic matrix within which patches of other community types are encountered. Alternatively, complex mosaics may occur. Both reflect the pattern of resources and constraints that occur within a particular landscape in both time and space. In effect, landscapes can behave like "supersystems". Connectivity is important in the functioning of integrated landscapes, while populations of individual species may not be isolated, but rather, form metapopulations which contribute to their long-term stability.

Changes in communities over time are considered. Communities are not static, but change, often in apparently predictable ways. They may be directed by the sequence of species present (autogenic), or driven by environmental conditions that change over time (allogenic). The main processes that have contributed to a breakdown of lowland systems are considered including: Perforation; Dissection; Fragmentation; Shrinkage and Attrition. Communities also change naturally over time via succession into "climax" vegetation and here we consider the theories of succession from its first description by Clements to the three theories including facilitation, tolerance and inhibition.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Collection of data, analysis and interpretation of survey data for field assessments.
Communication Assessed via group presentations during field course.
Improving own Learning and Performance Learning targeted in such a way as to improve performance over time. Examples of exam questions provided throughout module. Marks feedback and progress provided during field course.
Information Technology Use of on-line resources.
Personal Development and Career planning Provides practical skills and insight into surveying. Essential skills for any student interested in an Environmental career / Conservation.
Problem solving Analysis of samples and data. Synthesis and assessments in practicals.
Research skills Additional reading to support lecture content and researching for field assessments.
Subject Specific Skills Identification of plants and animals.
Team work Group learning activities during the surveying days to develop team skills. Group collection of data for field assessment.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5