Gwybodaeth Modiwlau

Key investigative approaches and sampling techniques are explored. The module covers a range of sampling and assessment issues in coastal, estuarine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Students will evaluate the use of "appropriate technology" to investigate environmental management issues in a variety of contextual settings, from the laboratory to the field.
Skills developed in this supervised exercise will then be further developed in a field based module in Arctic Geoecology delivered by Umea University Sweden.

A series of lectures will introduce generic issues of investigative design, sampling strategies, sample analysis and data management including aspects of QA/QC. The study site and its conservation management objectives will then introduced and gaps in information needed to underpin key elements of this management identified. Module field and laboratory exercises will then be implemented to provide this information. Students will consider whether this investigation was fit for purpose and make recommendations based on their findings.
Skills developed during the investigation and reporting exercise at Aberystwyth will be further developed during the course at Umea. The course examines global environmental changes and their consequences for biogeochemical processes in arctic and subarctic ecosystems. Particular focus is given to linkages between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, transport of nutrients and greenhouse gases and effects of climate change on biological and geochemical processes. The course is given by researchers at Climate Impacts Research Centre in Abisko, Lapland. Skills developed during the course include fieldworking methods and scientific reporting. The course is split between a lecture and field excursion component covering biogeochemical processes in Arctic and Subarctic environments and an extended project investigating abiotic/biotic processes in a selected arctic-subarctic ecosystem.
Due to seasonal constraints and in order to integrate with teaching at Umea, the course will be delivered in two cycles between weeks 2 and 6 in semester 1 at Aberystwyth and between weeks 7 and 15 (approx.) of semester 2 at Umea.