ES2S209 - Natural History of Islands 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES2S209
Module Title: Natural History of Islands
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environment
Module Leader: Ian Skilling
Module Team: Amelia Grass
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: 100345 - biological sciences 100394 - earth sciences
HECOS Code Weighting: 50 50

Document Version Information

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

Module Aims

To develop a greater understanding of the major geological and ecological processes operating in selected Island settings.

To develop an understanding of the importance of islands in biogeography and evolutionary theory

To undertake fieldwork which includes observation of major geological and ecological processes and the interactions. between them.

To further develop observational and recording skills within the field based on environmental and ecological interactions.

Content Summary

The module centres around a residential island-based field course. The field work will include observation and study of some of the major geological processes, for example volcanoes, plate tectonics and glaciation

Island biogeography: fundamental theory and examples; speciation and evolutionary adaptations to island life; examples of vulnerability to introduced (and invasive) species, extinctions of endemic island organisms.

The ecology of the area will be studied in relation to identified plants and animals, and ecological sampling and wildlife observations will be undertaken. These observations will be made in the context of the local geology, climate, soils and surface processes.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Fieldwork 44
Independent Study 106
Directed Study 40
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Explore, understand and explain island geological and ecological characteristics and processes and the interactions between them
LO2 Investigate the interrelated processes between the island environment, biogeography and biodiversity

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Field Folio 1 Field Observational Journal and Field Based Tasks 0 3000 40 No 40
Synchronous Online Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1 Class Test 0 2000 60 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Field Folio 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Online) 1

Reading List

Tucker (2011). Sedimentary Rocks in the Field: A Practical Guide. Wiley-Blackwell

Tomlinson S. L., 2009, How to Keep a Naturalists Notebook, Stackpole Books

Holden J (ed), 2012, An Introduction to Physical Geography and the Environment, Harlow: Prentice Hall

Grotzinger, J. and Jorden, T.H., 2014, Understanding the Earth, Freeman

Jerram and Petford (2011). Field Description of Igneous Rocks. Wiley-Blackwell