Introductory description

This module gives second year students the opportunity to gain a scientific and interdisciplinary perspective of ecosystems and responses by habitats and species to disturbances cause by a variety of factors. Several major environmental issues are presented along with possible solutions to some of them, using concepts learned through case studies from across the world.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction to the application of ecological approaches to environmental issues

Ecosystems services – honeybees and pollinators case study: honeybees and neonicotinoids

Sustainable use of marine resources: tools and techniques – policy, marine food chains and fisheries, environmental assessment methods,

Balancing tourism and conservation of key UK habitat – Yorkshire Dales case study

Impact and management of invasive species

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand of key mechanisms by which humans can impact ecosystem structure and function, demonstrated through reference to relevant examples
• Understand how specific biological traits of organisms can influence their ability to support or disrupt ecosystem services, structure or function
• Evaluate different methods for the assessment of environmental impacts, including current research techniques used in industry and academic research
• Understand the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to understanding human impacts on the environment

Indicative reading list

The majority of the reference material will be primary literature and web based information relating to specific environments and scenarios, this will be highlighted during the lectures

Key text for basic ecological principles

Townsend CR, Begon M and Harper JL (2008) Essentials of Ecology (3rd Edition). Blackwell Publishing

Subject specific skills

Understand key mechanisms by which humans can impact ecosystem structure and function, demonstrated through reference to relevant examples

Demonstrate how specific biological traits of organisms can influence their ability to support or disrupt ecosystem services, structure or function

Evaluate different methods for the assessment of environmental impacts

Describe the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach to understanding human impacts on the environment

Transferable skills

Self Directed Learning
Adult Learning