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ECOLOGY

Module code: BI303
Credits: 5
Semester: 1
Department: BIOLOGY
International:
Coordinator: Dr John Devaney (BIOLOGY)

	Overview
	Module Aim: To understand how biotic and abiotic factors together govern the ecology of the Earth�s habitats, impacting on the composition, productivity, population biology and biodiversity of ecosystems. Topics covered: The module is divided into two sections. Section 1 (Communities and Change) includes: Soil ecology; The interaction of climate and soil in the formation of the 10 principal global biomes; Succession in Vegetation: patterns, mechanisms and examples from Forests, Peatland and Sand Dunes. Section 2 (Biotic Interactions) includes: Lotka-Volterra modelling of population interactions; Intra-specific competition within species; Inter-specific competition between species; Predatory-Prey relationships; Density-dependent and Density-Independent selection mechanisms; Gradients and patterns of global species diversity. Soil ecology and competition is covered in a lab practical, while succession and habitat analysis is covered in a weekend field course.

Overview

Module Aim: To understand how biotic and abiotic factors together govern the ecology of the Earth�s habitats, impacting on the composition, productivity, population biology and biodiversity of ecosystems.

Topics covered: The module is divided into two sections. Section 1 (Communities and Change) includes: Soil ecology; The interaction of climate and soil in the formation of the 10 principal global biomes; Succession in Vegetation: patterns, mechanisms and examples from Forests, Peatland and Sand Dunes. Section 2 (Biotic Interactions) includes: Lotka-Volterra modelling of population interactions; Intra-specific competition within species; Inter-specific competition between species; Predatory-Prey relationships; Density-dependent and Density-Independent selection mechanisms; Gradients and patterns of global species diversity. Soil ecology and competition is covered in a lab practical, while succession and habitat analysis is covered in a weekend field course.

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Describe how terrestrial biomass is organized into biomes that have specific climatic, geographic and latitudinal characteristics. Discuss and give examples of how habitats and ecosystems are in a constant state of flux that is dependent on both biotic and abiotic (including human) factors. Explain the ecology and dynamics of the soil, and representative above-ground habitats including sand-dunes, peatlands, forests and seashore habitats. Demonstrate, with examples, how climate change and human disturbance is likely to impact on global biomes, local habitats, and individual species. Describe how organisms interact with one another in natural habitats by means of competition, cooperation and predation, using appropriate field and laboratory studies as examples. Describe how biotic and abiotic interactions can be harnessed to conserve and restore ecosystems. Evaluate how all the above factors combine to influence the manner in which biodiversity is distributed over the Earth.

Learning Outcomes

Teaching & Learning methods

Assessment

	Autumn Supplementals/Resits
	Are supplemental/resit registrations permitted? Yes The University scheduled written exam may be re-taken in the autumn. Continuous assessment mark is carried forward to the Autumn. University scheduled written examination (Autumn): 90 minutes, On-campus

	Pre-Requisites
	BI201, BI210 or equivalent

Timetable

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Courses / Module

ECOLOGY

Semester 1

Semester 2