GE4S001 - Tropical Environmental Monitoring 09 Aug 2019 - 31 Aug 2025 | Version 4

Associated Module Information

Module Code: GE4S001
Module Title: Tropical Environmental Monitoring
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Chemical and Environmental Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environmental Science
Module Leader: Amelia Grass
Module Team: Malcolm Thomas, Eiry Bateman
First Intended Intake: SEP 2015 Final Year of Intake: 2013
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100347 - ecology
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 4
Valid From 09 Aug 2019
Valid To 31 Aug 2025

Module Aims

This module develops and extends the study of a major biome, using field monitoring techniques and gives experience in the identification of a range of plant and animal taxa, coupled with the field study of animal behaviour.

Content Summary

Students should be aware they may encounter ethical issues in learning and teaching while undertaking this module and should refer to either the Award/Module Leader for further information.

While module content will be flexible, the main aims are to investigate and implement advanced methods for the measurement of tropical environments with particular emphasis on the monitoring of animal, bird, and fish distributions and abundance and/or vegetation change analysis.

Investigation will also be undertaken of ecological changes and management issues along environmental gradients in selected systems such rainforest, mangrove, coral reefs, rivers and lakes and their implications for management.
The conflicting environmental and anthropogenic pressures placed upon such tropical areas will be addressed, such as tourism, conservation, industry, habitat loss and infrastructure.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Fieldwork 90
Independent Study 88
Seminar 22 22
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Undertake advanced monitoring and critically comment on their effectiveness, limitations and strengths.
LO2 Identify key ecological processes in selected tropical environments.
LO3 Conduct advanced observation and identify species from a range of tropical plant and animal taxa.
LO4 Critically appraise conflicting environmental pressures and relate to management and conservation techniques.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Field Folio 1 Observation tests in the field 0 N/A 10 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Field coursework 1 Experiment write up and discussion essay 0 3000 60 No 40
Oral Assessment (CW) Presentation (CW) 1 Oral presentation of topic delivered on the field course 10 N/A 30 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Field Folio 1
Field coursework 1
Presentation (CW) 1

Reading List

Martin, P. & Bateson, P. (2016) Measuring Behaviour: An introductory Guide, Cambridge University Press,

Thomas, R. (20147) Data Analysis with R statistical Software: A Guidebook for Scientists, Newport Publishing

Bates, W. & Shorrocks, B. (2015) The Biology of African Savannahs, 2nd Ed, Oxford University Press

Rovero, F. & Zimmerman, F. (Eds) (2016) Camera Trapping for Wildlife Research. Exeter: Pelagic Publishing, UK

Fryxall, J.M, Sinclair, A.R.E. & Caughley, G. (2014) Wildlife Ecology, Conservation and Management, 3rd Ed, Wiley & Sons

Sutherland, W.J. (Ed) (2006) Ecological Census Techniques, 2nd Ed, Cambridge University Press

Stuart, C. & Stuart, M. (2015) Stuarts’ Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa, Expanded Ed, Random House Struik

Stuart, C & Stuart, M. (2014) A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern, Central & East African Wildlife, 3rd Ed, Struik Nature

Chittenden, H., Davies, G. & Weiersbye, I. (2016) Roberts Bird Guide, 2nd Ed, Jacana Media (Pty)