Evolution and Analysis of Plant Landscape
Code: 42917 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4313774 Land Ecology and Biodiversity Management | OT | 0 | 1 |
Contact
- Name:
- Moisès Guardiola Bufí
- Email:
- Moises.Guardiola@uab.cat
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
Teachers
- Miquel Ninyerola Casals
- Cristina Roquet Ruíz
Prerequisites
6 credits in botany / plant biology
Notions on the diversity of Iberian vegetable communities. Basic concepts on biogeography, climatology and geography of the Iberian Peninsula.
Objectives and Contextualisation
This module provides students with a wide spectrum of contents and tools with an approach that transcends the geographic and temporal scale, not necessarily centered on those ecosystems and landscapes that are more familiar to us. It is for this last reason that beyond the obligatory vision from the present, this module focuses on the historical processes that have taken place in previous times and they help to interpret the reality of landscapes, ecosystems and present vegetal communities.
In addition to this time dynamic view, we provide a series of tools for spatial analysis (gradient analysis and cartographic modeling) of both vegetation and climatic, edaphic, historic, topologic and anthropic variables that influence its distribution, composition and structure. An example of this is the distribution patterns of plant species and the suitability of potential habitats that enable quantitative characterization of plant ecosystems and obtain a perception of what their evolution may be in the face of the effects of global change. We also provide information about multiple facets of biodiversity (taxonomic, functional and evolutive) and the importance of how to integrate them in the management of biodiversity.
Finally, this module will provide tools to interpret and value the diversity of plant communities and landscape and show students specific cases of their application. For this purpose, emphasis is placed on presentations by experts, technicians and managers directly involved in the design and management of conservation actions and management of spaces or conservation policies.
Competences
- Communicate and justify conclusions clearly and unambiguously to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Deal with the theory and practice of sustainable management and use of biodiversity and of terrestrial and aquatic biotic resources.
- Evaluate and analyse the diversity of animal, plant and fungal organisms from an evolutionary and functional perspective, and their interactions with the medium.
- Sample, handle, identify and characterise animal, plant and fungal samples, by tissues, individuals, communities, populations and landscapes.
- Understand and apply the most cutting-edge and influential theories in terrestrial ecology and conservation of biodiversity, and assess their importance for mitigating the main environmental problems caused by human activity.
- Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
Learning Outcomes
- Assess the biodiversity of flora and vegetation in a particular area and the main factors that threaten its conservation
- Describe some of the main current advances and controversies in the study of the plant landscape.
- Evaluate and analyse the processes and factors that shape the plant landscape.
- Identify and catalogue vegetation and landscape diversity from specific cases.
- Interpret and evaluate the principles and general applications of the sciences that study the plant landscape and its dynamics.
- Interpret and evaluate the principles of conservation biology applied to specific fauna.
- Present the results of a research project in poster format.
- Propose and evaluate management models for the conservation of plant communities and protected areas.
Content
Habitat definition. Aplications.
Classifications systems
Protections and threats
Habitats of the north-eastern Iberian Peninsula
Habitat cartography
Species and habitat distribution models.
Biogeography models
Management and conservation
*Unless the requirements enforced by the health authorities demand a prioritization or reduction of these contents
Methodology
1. Presential activities
1.1. Directed Activities
In the directed activities the expository method will be used accompanied by multimedia materials that reinforce the understanding. Depending on the teacher, the pre-class work will also be encouraged to develop a participatory session in the classroom where there will be room for discussion of targeted texts and seminars.
Dedication time by activity:
Theoretical classes (12 h) and presentations / seminars (4 h)
Field Practices (16 h)
Classroom practice (6 h)
Tutorials in the classroom (2 h)
1.2. Supervised activities
The follow-up of the preparation of the different works and of the field practices will be done through specifically programmed discussion sessions.
2. Autonomous and supervised activities
Students will do tutorial work both theoretical and practical, some individually and others in a group. The work will be based on the use and application of the methodologies treated in the module. These will be reflected in a document that the students will present and defend in a final session.
Distribution of activities:
Literature reading relevant to the class and seminar agenda as well as the final report for the module
Elaboration of a written report
Preparation of an oral dissertation related to the written report
*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 | |||
| Computer sessions | 6 | 0.24 | 6, 3, 2, 4, 5, 8 |
| Field practices | 16 | 0.64 | 6, 3, 4, 5, 1 |
| Seminars | 4 | 0.16 | 6, 3, 4, 7, 8, 1 |
| Theory sessions | 12 | 0.48 | 3, 2, 4, 5 |
| Tutorial sessions. Report and field practices. | 2 | 0.08 | 7, 8 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Report and Dissertation | 35 | 1.4 | 6, 2, 7, 8 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| References search. Report writing. | 65 | 2.6 | 3, 2, 4, 7, 8, 1 |
Assessment
The evaluation of the module will be based on several items:
i) Evaluation of the participation and progress in the work in the computer classrooms (10% of the final grade)
ii) Test type test at the end of the theoretical sessions (40% of final grade)
iii) Written and oral defense of a subject related to the module, groups of 3 students, (50% of the final grade)
In the section of written report and dissertation will be evaluated:
- Use of appropriate information and tools, quality, structuring and correction of exposure
- Ability to synthesize and present information in memory and oral presentation
- Clarity, conciseness and rigor in written and oral expression
- Quality of documentary sources used
- Adequacy to space and time set
- Applicability
*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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer sessions | 10% | 1 | 0.04 | 6, 3, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 1 |
| Short tests | 40% | 3 | 0.12 | 6, 3, 4, 5 |
| Written report and dissertation | 50% | 6 | 0.24 | 6, 3, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 1 |
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