Vegetation Analysis and Mapping
Code: 100804 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2500250 Biology | OB | 2 | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Miquel Ninyerola Casals
- Email:
- Miquel.Ninyerola@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
- Some groups entirely in English:
- No
- Some groups entirely in Catalan:
- Yes
- Some groups entirely in Spanish:
- No
Teachers
- Ramon Pérez Obiol
Prerequisites
The emphasis on spatial distribution of vegetation makes it advisable to have biological and geographical knowledge of the territory, especially in Catalonia and the Iberian Peninsula. It will also be useful to have the skills acquired in the Botany subject.
Objectives and Contextualisation
This subject focuses on the study of plant biodiversity from a hierarchical perspective. The principles are transmitted to analyze
supraspecific structures (plant communities and biomes) as well as a vision of the relationship between organisms with the physical and
biotic environment.
This subject is complementary to Botany (where biodiversity, biology and evolution of plants have been studied at a specific level) and is
essential for studying subjects such as Biology and diversity of cryptogamous plants, Biology and diversity of phanerogams.
We can divide the subject into three blocks:
1) synthetic description of the types of vegetation and existing biomes.
2) analysis of the spatial and temporal patterns that are observed in the vegetation
3) study of cartographic techniques (Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing) that allow the spatial and temporal analysis
and management of vegetation.
Competences
- Apply statistical and computer resources to the interpretation of data.
- Be able to analyse and synthesise
- Characterise, manage, conserve and restore populations, communities and ecosystems.
- Describe and identify the levels of organisation of living beings.
- Develop a sensibility towards environmental issues.
- Identify and classify living organisms.
- Work in teams.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply statistical and computer resources to the interpretation of data.
- Be able to analyse and synthesise.
- Characterise, manage and conserve plant communities.
- Describe and identify the levels of organisation of plants.
- Develop a sensibility towards environmental issues.
- Identify and classify the plants.
- Work in teams.
Content
Vegetation mapping
Basic concepts of cartography
Geographic Information Systems
Remote sensing principles
Spatial analysis and cartographic modeling
Methodological tools for the description of the territory
Analysis and description of vegetation
Basic concepts of biogeography of vegetation
Dynamics of vegetation
Distribution and vegetation of the World
Vegetation of Europe and the Mediterranean basin
Physical environment, biogeography and vegetation of the Iberian Peninsula
Deciduous, Needleleaf and sclerophyllous broadleaf forests
Shrub formations
Spatial and temporal patterns and dynamics
Indicators of the evolution of the landscape
Climatic dynamics
History of vegetation
Disturbances
“*Unless the requirements enforced by the health authorities demand a prioritization or
reduction of these contents.”
Methodology
The teaching methodology is based on theoretical and practical face-to-face activities (computer activities, field survey and classroom lessons).
Part of the knowledge of this subject will be transmitted from the theoretical lectures where it is intended to influence aspects that can be difficult to understand through self-learning.
This subject presents a strong practical component since we consider these as an indissociable part of theoretical botanical knowledge. We will distinguish between computer classroom practices and field surveys. In the first case, students will have a practical guideline that will guide them through exercises designed to familiarize them with the GIS and Remote Sensing as critical users. In the second case, two field surveys will be realized in order to visualize a latitudinal and altitudinal gradient where the student will be able to observe different types of vegetation. The student had previously submitted a report that will include the environmental and landscape features of the itineraries visited. Therefore, it is expected that students have an active role during their departure in order to explain the main characteristics of the areas visited. The teacher will logically complete these explanations. Finally, students will give a synthesis of the different natural spaces displayed during the field surveys and worked cartographically to prepare the report. Therefore, this synthesis will be the result of using the methodologies learned both during GIS practices and during field exits.
*The proposed teaching methodology may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.
Activities
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Computing classroom activities | 14 | 0.56 | 1, 3, 2, 7 |
| Field survey | 12 | 0.48 | 4, 6, 2 |
| Theory classes | 26 | 1.04 | 3, 4, 5, 2 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Practical deliveries | 49.5 | 1.98 | 1, 3, 4, 6, 2, 7 |
| Study | 46 | 1.84 | 1, 3, 4, 6, 2, 7 |
Assessment
Exams
The exams will be test-type with multiple choice. There will be two partial exams that will contain questions related to the theoretical sessions but also with the practices.
There will be the right to recover the partial exams at the end of the semester. During this final exam, you can also choose to improve your note with the final grade being the highest of those obtained.
Report on the landscape analysis of a natural space
Each group will present this report orally (during field surveys) and written (before and after field exit).
Minium grade to skip final exam
Students will not have to recover a partial (during the final exam) as long as they have a grade equal to or greater than 5.
Final note
A student will have the final mark (weighted average, see the section of assessment activities) provided that he / she complies that the minimum mark of the two examinations (considering the highest note between the partial ones or the final) is equal or greater than 5 and that the minimum grade of the practical report is equal to or greater than 5. In case of being inferior the student will appear as suspended unless it is considered non-assessable.
Non-assessable
A student receives the non-assessable qualification if the mark of one of the 3 assessment activities is missing from him or if he does not assist to computer classroom practices or field surveys without justification.
Assistance
Attendance to the computer classroom practices and the two field surveys will be mandatory. Unjustified absence will entail a penalty or even, at the discretion of the teacher, be considered non-assessable.
*Student’s assessment may experience some modifications depending on the restrictions to face-to-face activities enforced by health authorities.
Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam (1st partial) | 33.3% | 1 | 0.04 | 3, 4, 6, 2 |
| Exam (2nd partial) | 33.3% | 1 | 0.04 | 3, 4, 6, 2 |
| Practicum dossier | 33.3% | 0.5 | 0.02 | 1, 3, 4, 6, 5, 2, 7 |
Bibliography
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RIVAS-MARTÍNEZ, S. 1987. Memoria del mapa de series de vegetación de España (Texte i mapes). Public. ICONA. Madrid.