BL3309 – Ecosystems and Conservation

Ashley Pearson
Thursday 20 January 2022

BL3309 – Ecosystems and Conservation


This module will examine how ecosystems function and how they provide services for humans: information which is essential for ecologists, conservationists and land managers. The module will consider examples of natural systems being altered by man to demonstrate how ecosystems function and the consequences of anthropogenic change. Disturbance and regulation in ecosystems, atmospheric and hydrological regulation (including the greenhouse effect and acidification), soil ecology, conservation and management of natural resources, agricultural and grazed ecosystems (including GMOs), urban ecosystems and aspects of sustainable development will also be discussed


Skills acquired in this module:
Related Programme(s):
Zoology


Module Code:
BL3309

Semester:
2

Credits:
20

Module Organiser:


Pre-requisite modules: BL2307 - Ecology, BL2303 - Evolutionary Biology, BL2304 - Invertebrate Zoology, and BL2308 - Vertebrate Biology



MMS

Timetable:


[events_list category="BL3309"]

Reading List:


Reading list

Assessment:

3-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

MMS assessment details

The following related information applies to all Biology modules:
School of Biology Marking Criteria:
School handbook

Late submission of continuous assessment work:
All late submissions of coursework that do not require electronic submission should be made via the late submissions box in the Biology Study Space, St Andrews New Technology Centre Building (beside the Teaching Office)

Exam details:
School handbook
Exam timetable:
Timetable

Expected attendance:
School handbook

Good Academic Practice & Avoiding Academic Misconduct:
School handbook

University Student Handbook:
University student handbook

School and University Regulations:
School and University regulations in the School and University Undergraduate Handbook relating to absence reporting, penalties and rules for late submission of work, extensions for coursework, return of coursework, S-coding, good academic practice and Academic Alerts.

School handbook
University student handbook

Staff:

Learning Outcomes:

Students completing module BL3309 successfully should be able to:

  • List and explain the functional basis of the types of relationships between organisms and abiotic factors
  • Describe how diversity arises from the physical processes that limit this
  • Describe how ecosystem functions result from how other organisms ameliorate or intensify limiting abiotic conditions.
  • Give specific detailed examples of how relationships between organisms at an ecosystem level, and ecosystem processes, arise from combinations of abiotic and biotic factors and how organisms and communities themselves then affect abiotic factors.
  • Understand the concept of ecosystem services
  • Understand how humans are affecting ecosystem functions and processes and so ecosystem services.
  • Give specific detailed examples of how humans can change and manage ecosystem services.
  • Appreciate that how humans affect ecosystem functions and processes is fundamental to future quality of life, and how conservation, urban planning and sustainable development can lead to positive solutions.
  • Analyse and interpret complex ecological data sets typical of environmental monitoring.

Policies:

(Information in this section applies to all Biology Modules)

  • The procedures and regulations followed by the School of Biology are outlined in the University Handbook and in the School of Biology Undergraduate Handbook (https://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/05/Undergraduate-Handbook-2021-22.docx)
  • All coursework associated with the module must be completed and submitted by its due date.
  • Specific School regulations relating to absence reporting, penalties and rules for late submission of work, extensions for coursework, return of coursework, S-coding, Good Academic Practice and Academic Alert are stated in the School of Biology Undergraduate Handbook and students are required to carefully read these regulations.
  • Students are also referred to the University Handbook, available at:http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/studenthandbook/

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