ES2S205 - Biodiversity and Biogeography 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES2S205
Module Title: Biodiversity and Biogeography
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environment
Module Leader: Angela Morris
Module Team: Richard Penrose, Malcolm Thomas, Anthony Harris
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100469 - environmental management 101318 - biodiversity conservation
HECOS Code Weighting: 20 80

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Jul 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To develop a thorough understanding of the principles and concepts of biogeographical theory and change through time, together with an understanding of research methods in a biogeographical context.

To develop understanding of sustainability concepts and environmental legislation, management and policy.

Content Summary

Develop an understanding of changes to biogeography through time along with the drivers of change (global climate plate tectonics and anthropogenic).

Examination of past life patterns and how they influence current organism types and distribution, the rise to dominance, diversification and decline of various taxa. Mass extinction events and the effects of a changing climate on habitats through time.

Types of current biogeographic distribution. Endemic species and examples of extinction. Biodiversity gradients and hotspots. Latitudinal diversity gradients; examples of tree species, reptiles, particular climate parameters.

Adaptations of plants to cope with dry climates. Methods of organism dispersal, physical barriers to dispersal including those specific to terrestrial and aquatic environments. Invasive alien species: examples including accidental and deliberate introductions.

Exploration of rewilding as a concept and in terms of its practical application in a real-world context.

Drivers for environmental sustainability: climate change, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss.

An introduction to biodiversity mapping - Phase 1 Habitat Survey – principles and practice.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 30
Practical classes and workshops 6
Fieldwork 12
Independent Study 152
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Understand fundamental ideas in biogeography, including the global distribution or organisms in the past and present, and their relationships with physical environments.
LO2 Understand fundamental concepts of environmental regulation, data collection/analysis, impact assessment and sustainability.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) NVC report 0 1500 50 No 40
Synchronous Online Assessment (Exam) Online Open Book Examination (Not Proctored) 1 Online Open book Examination 120 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch)
Online Open Book Examination (Not Proctored) 1

Reading List

Cox, C. B., and Moore, P. D., 1993, Biogeography: An Ecological and Evolutionary Approach (5th ed.). Blackwell Science.

Huggett, R. J., 1998, Fundamentals of Biogeography, Routledge

Joint Nature Conservation Committee, 2003. Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey. JNCC.

Lomolino, M.V., Riddle, B.R. & Brown, J.H., 2006. Biogeography (3rd ed.). Sinauer

McDonald, G., 2003. Biogeography: Introduction to Space, Time and Life. Wiley.

MacLeod, N., 2013. The Great Extinctions: What Causes Them and How They Shape Life. Natural History Museum.