Teaching Responsibility

LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:

LJMU Partner Taught

Learning Methods

Lecture
Practical
Seminar

Module Offerings

7514CATSCI-SEP-PAR

Aims

a) Study and understand research based methods which have been developed to assess key concepts in sustainable ecology, such as biodiversity, carbon storage and nutrient status and forms of ecosystem functioning. b) Understand concepts of ecosystem health and functioning and carry out an assessment of habitat function, habitat quality and health. c) Practice the use of, and evaluate the value of, identification techniques for flora and fauna which focus on different taxonomic levels and morphological-functional groups. d) Show critical awareness of the value of local, national, international and traditional records of ecology, ecological health and ecological change and know how to access such records. e) Use multivariate data and expert knowledge to suggest management plans for ecosystems or habitats.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Critically evaluate methods for monitoring aspects of ecosystem health and functioning, and relate ecosystem health and functioning to local, national and global sustainability.
2.
Synergize multivariate information on ecosystems to make judgments on an ecosystem or habitat functioning, stability and resilience and where appropriate, devise management recommendations.
3.
Develop a deep and systematic understanding of the value of different ecological data sets and types of data in assessing and monitoring ecosystems and habitats.

Module Content

Outline Syllabus:Ecological surveys, functional habitat mapping, definitions of ecosystem health and how this might be determined. Recognizing habitat values such as carbon retention, biodiversity, and regulating services. The value and availability of local, national and international data sets, value of citizen science, local and traditional environmental knowledge. Management scenarios to maximize ecosystem health.
Additional Information:Indicative References: Berkes, F., Colding, J. and Folke, C. (2000) Rediscovery of traditional ecological knowledge as adaptive management. Ecological applications, 10(5), pp.1251-1262. de Bello, F., Lavorel, S., Díaz, S., Harrington, R., Cornelissen, J.H., Bardgett, R.D., Berg, M.P., Cipriotti, P., Feld, C.K., Hering, D. and da Silva, P.M. (2010) Towards an assessment of multiple ecosystem processes and services via functional traits. Biodiversity and Conservation, 19(10), pp.2873-2893. Rapport D J, Costanza R, McMichael A J. (1998) Assessing ecosystem health. Tree 13(10) 397-402 Raymond, C.M., Fazey, I., Reed, M.S., Stringer, L.C., Robinson, G.M. and Evely, A.C., 2010. Integrating local and scientific knowledge for environmental management. Journal of environmental management, 91(8), pp.1766-1777. Silvertown, J., 2009. A new dawn for citizen science. Trends in ecology & evolution, 24(9), pp.467-471. Wheater, C.P. (2011) Practical Field Ecology. Paperback. Wiley-Blackwell’s.

Assessments

Presentation
Report