| CODE | BIO3560 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Management of Biological Resources | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 3 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Biology | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Biological resources are of huge benefit to mankind; some of these benefits are yet to be discovered. However, biological resources are hugely influenced by natural and anthropogenic factors, and in some cases end up being threatened, such as when living species are exploited unsustainably and/or driven to extinction. Management of biological resources is therefore crucial for their safeguard and to ensure that these will remain forming part of natural ecosytems and will be available for future generations. This study-unit is designed to equip students with knowledge of theoretical and practical aspects concerning the management of biological resources. Topics that will be covered include the following: - Biological resources and their importance; - Aspects of aquaculture and fisheries management; - Management of other natural resources, including ones found in marine and terrestrial areas that support a high biodiversity; - EU, national and other international environmental legislation; - Procedures, measures, techniques and tools used in the management of biological resources; - Monitoring of biological resources and measures to avoid overexploitation of biological resources and other adverse anthropogenic effects such pollution and disturbance and adverse natural factors such as disease and predation; - Effects of climate change on biological resources; - Restoration ecology. Students are informed that regular attendance to lectures and seminars is obligatory. The students' seminars and seminar paper will be assessed and a grade awarded only if attendance to lectures and the seminars has been regular. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit is aimed at equipping students with theoretical and practical knowledge of marine and terrestrial biological resources, their roles in the environment and uses for the human population. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of managing and controlling the exploitation of such resources by humans, as well as controlling/mitigating/reversing adverse effects on such resources resulting from anthropogenic activities (e.g. pollution and disturbance), climate change and natural factors (e.g. extreme natural events, disease and predators). Students will be made aware of the various legislative and scientific tools which are aimed at protecting and managing biological resources, as well as procedures and techniques for habitat restoration. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key biological resources, and of legislative and other tools and measures for their management and protection; - understand the implications of the overexploitation of biological resources and of their vulnerability to adverse anthropogenic factors (including pollution and disturbance), climate change, and adverse natural factors (including extreme natural events, disease and predation); - demonstrate knowledge and understanding of measures for mitigating and possibly reversing adverse effects on biological resources; - demonstrate knowledge of restoration ecology. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - use tools for assessing biological resources; - apply knowledge of legislative and management tools to areas supporting important biological resources; - apply knowledge of biological resources to solve key issues and problems concerning overexploitation of biological resources and other adverse anthropogenic factors (including pollution and disturbance), climate change, and adverse natural factors (including extreme natural events, disease and predation); - apply knowledge of restoration ecology to real situations concerning biological resources that have been adversely impacted by anthropogenic or natural factors. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Chiras D. D. Environmental Science. Jones and Bartlett. - Conrad E. & Cassar L. Coasts and Conflicts. Dormax Press Co Ltd. - Ehler, Charles, and Fanny Douvere. Marine Spatial Planning: a step-by-step approach toward ecosystem-based management. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Man and the Biosphere Programme. IOC Manual and Guides No. 53, ICAM Dossier No. 6. Paris: UNESCO. 2009. Available online: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001865/186559e.pdf - Environment Resources Authority. State of the Environment Reports (for various years). Available online: https://era.org.mt/en/Pages/State-of-the-Environment-Report.aspx - Galatowitch S. M. Ecological Restoration. Sinauer Associates Inc. - Greipsson S. Restoration Ecology. Jones and Bartlett. - King M. Fisheries Biology, Assessment and Management. Wiley-Blackwell; 2nd Edition edition. - Kitching D. E. Global Climate Change. Pearson. - Lucas J.S. & Southgate, P.C. Aquaculture: Farming Aquatic Animals and Plants. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. - Pillay, T.V.R. & Kutty M.N. Aquaculture: Principles and Practice. Blackwell Publishing. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Study-units: BSc Hons Biology 1st year study-units | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Seminar & Independent Study | ||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Sergio Tartaglia Alexander Borg Joseph A. Borg Marie Therese Gambin Antoine Gatt Sandro Lanfranco Darrin T. Stevens Noel Vella |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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