| CODE | BIO5130 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Topics in Ecosystems and Biodiversity | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Biology | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | An understanding of the interactions between organisms and the environment, between individuals of the same species and of different species, and of ecosystems is essential for sustainable use and management of living resources. The environment supports many interconnected ecosystems, which are determined by a complex interplay of abiotic and biotic factors. Numerous species and habitats form part of the ecosystems, some of which provide important services and are of high ecological and economic value. Ecosystems are also essential for biodiversity and contribute essential resources and ecosystem services to the human population, including those linked to recreation and to important commercial activities such as food production, tourism, aquaculture and fisheries. The first part of this study-unit will deal with the concepts of biodiversity and species as a unit; standard schemes for classifying species; species populations and interactions, assemblages and communities, and macro-, meso- and micro-ecosystems. The second part deals with trophic ecology, biogeochemical cycles and biogeography. The main topics covered during this unit are: - The species concept and how species arise - Cataloguing species - Biological resources - Species populations and interactions - Biotic communities and ecosystems - Trophic ecology - Biogeochemical cycles - Biogeography Study-unit Aims: This study-unit is mainly aimed at equipping students with knowledge of: - The concept of species, how these arise, criteria for distinguishing different species, and techniques/procedures for identifying species; - Species catalogues: the various systems of classification and taxonomy; - The characteristics of species populations and species interactions; - Biotic communities and ecosystems; - Trophic ecology, including the use of knowledge on trophic food webs to understand ecosystem functioning and predict the effects of perturbations to ecosystems; - Biogeochemical cycles, including the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous cycles, and the roles of nutrients in such cycles; - Biodiversity and how this is affected by anthropogenic factors including climate change; - Biogeography, including alteration of the species composition of biotic communites resulting from climate change and other anthropogenic activities, and the influence of invasive species on native biotic communities. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define 'species' and identify the criteria used for distinguishing between different species; - Recognise the various systems used for cataloguing species and the procedures used in classification and taxonomy of organisms; - Recognise and understand the characteristics of species populations and interactions with biotic and abiotic factors; - Define and understand the concepts underlying biotic communities and ecosystems, and identify the factors that maintain or disrupt them; - Recognise and understand the key concepts underlying trophic ecology and use of trophic food webs to understand ecosytem functioning; - Recognise and understand the key characteristics of biogeochemical cycles and their contribution to ecosystem processes and ecological integrity; - Recognise and understand key aspects of biogeography. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply key concepts and criteria used in classification and taxonomy to identify and classify species; - Apply knowledge of population ecology, biotic communities and ecosystems, to understand how these can be affected by natural and anthropogenic factors; - Apply knowledge of biogeography to understand the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors influence the geographical distribution of species; the effects of climate change on species, habitats and ecosystems; - Apply knowledge of biodiversity, ecosystems and biogeography to practical situations requiring measures and actions for the conservation and management of living resources. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: Jax K. (2010). Ecosystem Functioning (Ecology, Biodiversity and Conservation). Cambridge University Press. Loreau M. & Naeem Shadid (2002). Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning: Synthesis and Perspectives. Oxford University Press. NaeemS., Bunker D. E., Hector A., Loreau M. & Perrings C. (2009). Biodiversity, Ecosystem Functioning, and Human Wellbeing: An Ecological and Economic Perspective. Supplementary Readings: BREWER, R (1994) The science of ecology [2nd ed] Brooks/Cole. RICKLEFS, RE (2009) The economy of nature. [6th ed] W.H. Freeman. BEGON, M, TOWNSEND, CR & HARPER, JL (2006) Ecology: from individuals to ecosystems. [4th ed] Blackwell (with accompanying CD-ROM). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Laboratory Session and Independent Study | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Joseph A. Borg Julian Evans Sandro Lanfranco |
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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 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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