Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

NES8104 (ACE8116 previously) and NES8303 (BIO8006 previously) are desirable but not essential

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to:

Train students in ecological monitoring, Phase 1 habitat survey and BNG, Phase 2 soil and vegetation survey, and report production

Outline Of Syllabus

Preliminary lectures and practicals will introduce students to the principles of ecological monitoring, Phase 1 and Phase 2 survey, and develop some of the skills needed. This will be followed by a 5 day field class (residential if possible) during which the students will carry out the surveys, and then group and individual work to collate the field data and carry out integrated analysis, mapping, interpretation and report preparation.
Each topic will be introduced in lectures and practicals, and then further developed during field work, data analysis and presentation of results. During the field work and data collation students will work in small groups, but the assessments are to be produced individually. Topics include:
•       Survey and monitoring methods for conservation and research
•       Plant and identification
•       Vegetation monitoring for research including: Experimental design for ecology, Field vegetation data collection methods and statistical analysis (e.g. ANOVA, diversity indices, ecological indices and multivariate analysis)
•       Phase 1 and/or UKHab survey, and its use in BNG
•       Phase 2 survey including soil classification and survey methods, plant communities and the national vegetation classification, vegetation survey methods, site desk study and GIS, site reconnaissance, integrated soil and vegetation survey in the field, results collation, analysis and presentation, habitat condition assessment, and management recommendations.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module a successful student will be:
1.       Aware of the differences between monitoring, Phase 1 and Phase 2 survey, and between selected sampling methods
2.       Aware of the principles of soil and vegetation survey and habitat assessment
3.       Able to design, carry out and analyse a vegetation monitoring project
4.       Able to plan and carry out Phase 1 and Phase 2 survey projects
5.       Able to analyse and present the data collected from such projects

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of the module a successful student will be able to:
1.       Identify common plants from the habitats studied
2.       Identify soil types in the field
3.       Identify plant communities in the field and from analysis of field data
4.       Design, collect and analyse vegetation monitoring data for research
5.       Carry out and present a Phase 1 habitat survey and BNG calculation
6.       Carry out an integrated Phase 2 soil and vegetation survey, including desk study, site reconnaissance
and data collection
7.       Present Phase 2 survey results in a report, using Excel, Word and GIS
8.       Critically assess and interpret survey results

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures provide an introduction to the principles of ecological monitoring, Phase 1 habitat survey, and Phase 2 vegetation and soil survey, including standard techniques, integrated survey design, and planning. Practical classes develop field and analytical skills, and include a preparatory desk study for the residential field course. During the residential field course students will gain practical experience of survey techniques for Phase 1 and integrated Phase 2 habitat assessments in different terrestrial habitats, and this is followed by further experience of data collation, analysis and classification, and in the interpretation of soil and vegetation patterns and the physical resource base of the wildlife habitats surveyed.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The vegetation monitoring report will provide for testing students understanding of the differences between methods of monitoring, and their ability to undertake vegetation monitoring and to analyse and present the results.
The Survey report includes a UKHab survey map and BNG metrics, and a more detailed report on a Phase 2 survey. The Phase 1 survey map will test students ability to undertake and present a Phase 1 survey, and test their understanding of the advantages and limitations of the technique. The Phase 2 survey report will provide for the testing of students ability to have undertaken an integrated vegetation and soil survey, and to collate, analyse, present and report the results. It will also test their skills in working as a team in the collection, collation, interpretation and integration of survey data for defined objectives, and their ability to produce a report in a defined timescale to simulate workplace conditions.
Skills development prior to the residential field course will include formative assessment by online canvas quiz.

General Notes

N/A