Module BIOL2261: PATTERNS AND PROCESSES

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

BIOL2261: PATTERNS AND PROCESSES

Prerequisites

• Introduction to Whole Organisms and the Environment (BIOL1082) OR (ENSS1237) - Ecological Processes AND (ENSS1267) - Species and Habitats.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To promote an appreciation of the importance of spatio-temporal scale in relation to the various classes of ecosystem pattern and process.
• the relationship between ecosystem dynamics, the development of biome and biogeographical patterns, including biodiversity.
• and the maintenance of processes, including major biogeochemical cycles.

Content

• Spatio-temporal scale in relation to the various classes of ecosystem pattern and process.
• the relationship between ecosystem dynamics, the development of patterns, and the maintenance of processes, including major biogeochemical cycles.
• Biome patterns and biogeographic patterns, including biodiversity patterns, at the global scale will be discussed and related to present and past environments and to the evolutionary history of major taxa.
• Patterns within biomes, especially at the landscape scale in relation to landscape complexity and ecosystem dynamics, especially those relating to natural disturbance regimes and patterns of regeneration of dominant taxa.
• The relationships between global and landscape scale ecosystem patterns and processes and the major biogeochemical cycles.
• Key techniques in spatial and landscape ecology will be introduced and examples of their applications discussed.
• These will include.
• Geographical Information Systems.
• Digital terrain models (DTMs).
• the use of DTMs in relation to both ground-based and remote-sensed data.
• ecosystem models.
• spatially-explicit landscape-scale models.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module each student should be able to: Understand the importance of spatial context and spatio-temporal scale to observed pattern and processes in ecology.

• Understand the principles and applications of key techniques in spatial and landscape ecology, including Geographical Information Systems, remote sensing from space, digital terrain models and the Global Positioning System.
• Demonstrate practical skills in use of this technology to address ecological problems.

• Extract, compile and review scientific information from various sources and evaluate them critically.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching and learning in this component is through the means of lectures and practicals.
• Skills will be acquired through the manipulation and presentation of data.
• Knowledge will be formatively assessed through the use of MCQs and summatively by a written examination.
• Technical skills, manipulation and interpretation of data will be assessed by means of a written report from practical sessions.
• Understanding will be assessed by means of a written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

MCQs to assess knowledge.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University