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School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences

Tropical Ecology and Conservation

Module code: BIO391

Credits: 15.0
Semester: SEM3

Contact: Dr Rob Knell
Overlap: None
Prerequisite: None

This module requires approval from SBCS. Desirable - Populations, Communities and Ecosystems (SBC209), Aquatic Ecosystems (SBC212), Global Change Biology (SBC203). This module is for students enrolled on the programmes C300, C100 and C3C1. In this module you will spend two weeks on field-location in Borneo. The module is designed to provide you with first-hand experience of ecological processes, biodiversity and conservation issues associated with humid tropical environments. Tropical rainforests are the most biologically diverse habitats on Earth and the loss of rainforest is of tremendous conservation concern, both due to loss of diversity as well as its consequences for global warming. You will spend time working in both terrestrial and aquatic systems, and there will be an emphasis on practical training in ecological survey and assessment methods. Topics will include: ecological processes in tropical rainforests and lakes including nutrient cycling, decomposition, pollination and seed dispersal; rainforest structure and defining characteristics and the importance of rainforests as centres of biodiversity; rainforest community ecology and tropical forests and lakes as centres of ecological diversification; practical training in survey methods for a range of terrestrial and aquatic taxonomic groups; anthropogenic factors affecting rainforests including disturbance, forest fragmentation, global warming, agriculture, development human-wildlife conflicts and wildlife management.

Connected course(s): UDF DATA
Assessment: 85.0% Coursework, 15.0% Practical
Level: 6

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