| CODE | SPI1303 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Landscape and Human Impact | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Spatial Planning and Infrastructure | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will expose students to the natural landscape as well as those natural elements which shape it. Biotic and physical elements will be addressed. Man's impact on the landscape and how his doing has affected natural cycles will also be discussed. Students will be made aware of the importance of understanding natural cycles and natural interactions to create livable and sustainable urban areas. This unit will be mainly composed of formal lectures, discussions, and site visits. Students will be asked to research a particular aspect pertaining to the subject and present it to their peers. Study-unit Aims: - Introduce the notion of bio-diversity and ecology as basic components of the natural environment contributing to natural cycles; - Introduce elements of landscape and geo-morphology, and address the impact of human intervention on eco-systems; - Introduce students to the study of the interaction between human beings and the physical environment; - Introduce the relationship between the natural environment and human well-being; - Introduce the concept of ecosystem services. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify basic cycles within the landscape which are components of the natural environment and which relate to bio-diversity and ecology; - identify basic geomorphological elements within the landscape and determine the human impact on the eco-system; - identify the impacts of human beings on the physical environment in general terms; - associate the relationship between the natural environment and human well-being; - identify elements within the landscape which provide ecosystem services. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - analyze existing ecosystems and landscape systems; - identify natural processes acting upon the land and appreciate benefits to urban environments; - assess the impact of human settlements on eco-systems; - assess the manner by which human behaviour moulds and is in turn affected by spatial development. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: MAIN TEXTS Smith, T.M. & Smith, R.L. (2011). Elements of Ecology. Pearson. Hester, R., & Harrison, R. (2010). Ecosystem services. RSC Pub. Pedley M, Hughes Clarke M, (2002), Limestone Isles in a Crystal Sea: The Geology of the Maltese Islands, Enterprises Group. SUPPLEMENTARY TEXTS Atkins, P., Simmons, I., & Roberts, B. (1998). People, land and time; an historical introduction to the relations between landscape, culture and environment. Arnold. Ausden M. (2007). Habitat Management for Conservation. Bell, P.A., Baum, A., Fischer, J.D. & Greene, T.C. (2000). Environmental Psychology. Wadsworth Publishing Company. Bennett, A.F. (2003). Linkages in the landscape: the role of corridors and connectivity in wildlife conservation. IUCN Forest Conservation Programme. Borg S & Spiteri L (2010) Environmental Law in Malta, Kluwer Publications. Chiras D. D. (2010). Environmental Science. Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Primack, R.B. (2008). A Primer of Conservation Biology. Sinauer Associates. Rouse, David C. & Bunster-Ossa, Ognacio F. (2013). Green Infrastructure: a landscape approach. Sandström, Ulf G. (2008). Biodiversity and green infrastructure in urban landscapes: the importance of urban green spaces. Townsend, CR., Begon, M., & Harper, J. (2006). Essentials of ecology. Wiley. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Visit | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Joseph A. Borg Antoine Gatt Avertano Role' |
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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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