Module Information

Module Identifier

RD11610

Module Title

The Development and Management of British Habitats

Academic Year

2014/2015

Co-ordinator

Mr David Richard Powell

Semester

Semester 2

Mutually Exclusive

RG11610

Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type	Delivery length / details
Lecture	2 x 1 hour lectures per week (20 hours)
Other	2 x 4 hour field trips (8 hours)

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	Woodland visit report.	25%
Semester Assessment	Grassland visit report.	25%
Semester Exam	1.5 Hours Short answer question paper.	50%
Supplementary Assessment	Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module.	50%
Supplementary Exam	1.5 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module.	50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

For the main groups of British terrestrial habitats, students should be able, where appropriate, to:

1. Outline their classification in a range of appropriate systems;

2. Describe the natural factors influencing their development;

3. Explain the role of humans in their historical development;

4. Describe their current management, usage and issues that arise as a consequence;

5. Identify their conservation value, status and potential;

Brief description

This module will explore the interrelationships between natural factors and human actions which result in the development of the main groups of terrestrial habitats found in Britain: woodlands; grasslands; coastal, upland and montane communities; heaths and mires, swamps and fens; marginal and transitional habitats; and arable lands. Use of these habitats for varied commercial purposes will be considered alongside their value for wildlife and landscape. The module will consider the extent to which different types of habitat can serve as key components of multi-functional landscapes; the pressures upon these habitats from competing interests; and the designations, policies and schemes that are in place to influence the management of these habitats.

Content

For woodlands; grasslands; coastal, upland and montane communities; heaths and mires, swamps and fens; marginal and transitional habitats; and arable lands the following will be considered:

Classification of habitats, the main types of habitat and factors influencing their development.
Historic and modern systems of management and their impact on the habitat.
Commercial and other uses.
Conservation status and condition.
Key species and communities of conservation interest.
Policies, schemes and other mechanisms for the conservation and management of the habitat.

Module Skills

Skills Type	Skills details
Application of Number	Limited analysis of data undertaken as a component of an assessed report.
Communication	Reports to be written in an appropriate scientific writing style.
Improving own Learning and Performance
Information Technology	Data presented graphically using Excel in assessed reports.
Personal Development and Career planning
Problem solving
Research skills	Field visits may involve some data collection.
Subject Specific Skills	Plant identification in field.
Team work	Data collection will be undertaken in small teams.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4