EART35402
Mediterranean Ecology, past present and future (Environmental and Palaeobiology Field Course)
10
Undergraduate
Level 3
Robert Sansom
Unit coordinator
1
FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Undefined '
European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0
<p>This unit serves the BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science pathway in Evolution, Ecology and Conservation Biology and BSc (Hons) in Earth and Planetary Science pathway in Palaeobiology. Whereas the units of previous years address topics largely in isolation, this field course provides the students with the opportunity to study a complete environmental system and links between different aspects of the system. We will focus on the invasive and protected species of Majorca and the varied biomes including wetlands, maquis, and coastal and marine environments as well as fossil records (Mesozoic and Quaternary). Here, core skills learnt over the previous three years of study are integrated through field-based examination and observations of life on the island, past and present, in light of sustainability and future challenges. </p>
<p>This unit serves the BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science pathway in Evolution, Ecology and Conservation Biology and BSc (Hons) in Earth and Planetary Science pathway in Palaeobiology. Whereas the units of previous years address topics largely in isolation, this field course provides the students with the opportunity to study a complete environmental system and links between different aspects of the system. We will focus on the invasive and protected species of Majorca and the varied biomes including wetlands, maquis, and coastal and marine environments as well as fossil records (Mesozoic and Quaternary). Here, core skills learnt over the previous three years of study are integrated through field-based examination and observations of life on the island, past and present, in light of sustainability and future challenges. </p>
<p>This course will give students the opportunity to apply their previous classroom experience in Earth and Environmental Science to real world biological systems and data. Using the varied biomes, environments, and geology of Majorca, students will design, pilot and undertake group experiments to test hypotheses relating to evolution, ecology, conservation biology and palaeobiology. In addition to their student-led group projects, students students will participate in data collection and curation for a long-term monitoring project, and will analyse the data to study the sustainability of life on the island in the face of climate change and tourism demands.</p>
<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);" colspan="2">On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Developed</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Assessed</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">ILO 1</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Explore and interpret relevant literature information about the Earth and Environmental science of Majorca </td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">x</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">x</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">ILO 2</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Participate in long term environmental monitoring and analyse biological and environmental data in the context of conservation biology and palaeobiology </td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">x</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">x</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">ILO 3</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Design, pilot, conduct, and report experiments to test hypotheses relating to ecology, evolution, conservation biology, and palaeobiology in real-world environments </td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">x</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">x</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">ILO 4</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Describe and explain the role of museum collections, botanical collections, nature reserves and foundations in the protection and promotion of wildlife and natural history</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">x</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">x</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">ILO 5</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Evaluate the sustainability of life on the island in terms of development and tourism in a changing environment</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">x</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">x</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>
<p>Pre-lecture 1: Introduction to the field trip</p><p>Pre-lecture 2: The biology and sustainability of life Majorca</p><p>Pre-lecture 3: Geological history of the island and land management</p><p> </p><p><strong><u>Itinerary (tentative):</u></strong></p><p>Days 1-2: Visit important locations and institutions to become familiarised with the local biomes, nature reserves, and invasive and protected species, including: S'Albufera Natural Park (wetlands and birds), The Balearic Museum of Natural History and Botanic Gardens (fossils and plants), Mediterranean Wildlife Conservation Center (invasive and protected species including vultures)</p><p>Day 3: Participation in long term environmental monitoring projects <br/>Design and trial run of pilot experiments for group projects</p><p>Day 4: Evaluation of preliminary data and experimental design in conversation between groups and staff, refinement and deployment of experiments</p><p>Days 5-6: Group projects and group project write ups </p>
<p>The field trip is for 8 days in March/April. Six days are spent in the field and travel to and from Majorca takes place in the remaining 2 days. There will be 3 pre- fieldtrip meetings/lectures. The lectures are posted as PowerPoint presentations on Blackboard. Additional supporting research papers as well as the field guide will be posted on blackboard in advance of the fieldtrip. Students are expected to study this material ahead of the fieldtrip. Teaching in the field uses a range of methods including staff-led field observations, independent collecting of data, one-on-one interactions with staff and presentations. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss progress and data collection/interpretations by showing their work to staff several times. The staff is accommodated on the same site to facilitate this. With the exception of the pre-fieldtrip assignment, all assessments are submitted on the field course and post fieldtrip feedback will be provided during a special session to be organised after the fieldtrip. </p>
0
Other
80%
3
Report
20%
<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Assessment type</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">% Weighting within unit</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Hand out and hand in dates</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Length</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">How, when and what feedback is provided</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">ILO tested</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Individual report</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">20</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">3 weeks before fieldtrip</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">100 words (max)</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Oral/written feedback will be given during a special feedback session </td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">1,5</td></tr><tr><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Assignment (field exercise)</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">80</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Last day of fieldtrip</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">N/A</td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">Oral/written feedback will be given during a special feedback session and on day 4 following pilot study </td><td style="border:0.1px solid hsl(0, 0%, 0%);">2-5</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>
<p>Individual research areas will be identified and selected by students for literature review in the creation of the in-field guide resource. Additional supporting research papers are available via blackboard. </p>
Lectures
3
0
97