Curriculum Information

Introduction to the key global environmental systems;

Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, Lithosphere.

Basic concepts of ecology and ecosystems including:

Trophic structures and components of an ecosystem.

Cycling of energy and nutrient elements (e.g. C, N) through ecosystems – air, rock, soil, water and biotic phases.

Primary productivity and photosynthesis and environmental factors affecting it.

Climatic factors affecting plants.

Physical and chemical properties of soils, major soil types; Basic concept of ecological succession.

Organism distribution patterns.

Introduction to the diversity of plants and animals.

Field identification of selected animal and plant groups.

Introduction to basic ecological concepts;

Identification,

Collection,

Observation and

Scientific study.

Of major taxa and processes.

Overview of distribution of major ecosystems;

Deserts,

Forests,

Grasslands,

Tundra

Oceans

Overview of major UK habitats of conservation importance;

Woodlands,

Hedges,

Grasslands,

Sand Dunes,

Salt Marshes,

Aquatic Habitats.

Intertidal Zones.

Human activity and impacts on the environment.

Destruction and Fragmentation of habitats.

The environment as a source of renewable and non-renewable resources.

Examples of sources of pollution and resulting environmental impacts on terrestrial, aquatic, atmospheric systems.

Introduction to anthropogenic climate change.

Introduction to Laboratory and fieldwork exercises. Examples may include the following:

Vegetation survey – transects and plotless surveys.

Random and systematic surveys.

Use of quadrats and random numbers.

Comparison of percentage cover, density and frequency; Sampling and collection of invertebrates from various habitats, with basic identification.

Measuring basic environmental parameters in terrestrial and aquatic systems.