6B014B - Adaptive Ecosystems 01 Sep 2027 - 31 Aug 2033 | Version 0
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | 6B014B | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Adaptive Ecosystems | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science | ||
| Faculty Group: | Applied Science | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Applied Science | ||
| Module Leader: | Anthony Caravaggi | ||
| Module Team: | |||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2027 | Final Year of Intake: | |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 30 | Credit Level: | 6 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 33 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100864 - ecosystem ecology and land use | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 0 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2027 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2033 |
Module Aims
The main aims of the module are:
Aim 1: Develop students’ understanding of ecological resilience and adaptive capacity by examining ecosystem responses to environmental change, human pressures, and disturbance regimes, integrating theory and contemporary case studies.
Aim 2: Equip students with applied skills for assessing, modelling, and managing ecosystems under uncertainty, including scenario planning, resilience evaluation, and the design of adaptive interventions to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Aim 3: Foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and professional judgment through experiential learning and data-driven analysis, preparing students to contribute to evidence-based conservation strategies and to address complex socio-ecological challenges at local, regional, and global scales.
Content Summary
This module explores the dynamics of ecosystems in the context of environmental change, human pressures, and emerging conservation challenges, equipping students to assess, predict, and manage ecological resilience. Building on theory from Years 1 and 2, it emphasises applied, problem-focused learning, combining advanced seminars, case studies, and data-driven analysis to develop adaptive management strategies for diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Students examine mechanisms of ecological stability, tipping points, species and functional trait responses, and ecosystem services under environmental stressors, including climate change, habitat fragmentation, and invasive species. They integrate theoretical frameworks with practical modelling, scenario planning, and resilience assessments using contemporary tools and technologies.
The module fosters critical evaluation and forward-thinking solutions, enabling students to propose evidence-based interventions that enhance ecosystem sustainability and biodiversity outcomes. It is designed to develop graduates who are confident in navigating complex socio-ecological systems, capable of implementing adaptive management strategies, and ready to contribute to professional conservation practice or further research in ecology and environmental management.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Workshops | 36 |
| Seminars/lectures | 20 |
| Directed study | 54 |
| Guided study | 10.5 |
| Independent study | 89.5 |
| Summative assessment | 60 |
| Formative assessment | 30 |
| Total Hours Selected | 300 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Critically evaluate ecological resilience, thresholds, and adaptive capacity, including socio-ecological feedbacks, to understand ecosystem responses to environmental change. |
| LO2 | Synthesize ecological theory, empirical evidence, and scenario-based approaches to assess and justify adaptive strategies for ecosystem management under future uncertainty. |
Module Requisites
N/A
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asynchronous Assessment | Student Choice 1 | Adaptive management scenario (Student choice) | 0 | 2400 | 40 | No | 40 |
| Asynchronous Assessment | Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) | Applied project: “Future-Proofing an Ecosystem” | 5 | 2000 | 60 | No | 40 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | ||
| Student Choice 1 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) | ✔ | ✔ | |