RS11720 - HABITAT ECOLOGY

Module Identifier	RS11720
Module Title	HABITAT ECOLOGY
Academic Year	2001/2002
Co-ordinator	Mr David Powell
Semester	Semester 2
Other staff	Dr Graham Harris, Mr Stephen Walsh
Course delivery	Lecture	40 Hours
	Practical	24 Hours 8 x 3 hour practicals
	Field Work	Four-day residential field course
Assessment	Course work	Practical report book	40%
	Exam	3 x mid semester tests	60%

Brief description

This module will provide, through a range of lectures, practicals, visits and a residential field course, an introduction to the basic biological and ecological processes and principles operating in a range of British habitats. It will outline the basic scientific principles underlying biological systems, and highlight the differences between groups of organisms, identifying their adaptations to particular habitat rquirements. 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.

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.

Reading Lists

Books
Chapman J L and Reiss, M J. (1992) Ecology: Principles and application. Cambridge University Press
Clegg, C J and MacLean, D G. (1994) Advanced Biology: Principles and applications. John Murray
Riley, J O and Page, S E. (1990) Ecology of plant communities - a phytosociological account of the British vegetation. Longman
Rose, F. (1981) The wildflower key. Warne
Taylor, D T, Green N P O and Stout, G W. (1997) Biological Science 1 & 2. 3rd. Cambridge University Press