Skip to main content
Home

Information for:

  • Alumni
  • Applicants
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • Parents
  • Job Vacancies
  • Covid-19
  • Cymraeg
My country:

Main Menu

    • Study Options
      • Study Home
      • Why Study at Bangor?
      • Undergraduate Study
      • Postgraduate Taught Study
      • Postgraduate Research
      • Executive Education
      • Part-time Courses
      • January Start Courses
      • Degree Apprenticeships
      • Study Abroad
      • Work Experience
    • Study Advice
      • Apply
      • Already Applied?
      • Fees and Finances
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • Get Ready for University
      • Widening Access
    • Explore Bangor
      • Open Days and Visits
      • Virtual Student Experience
      • Magical Bangor

    Find a Course

    Order a Course Guide

    Open Days

    Clearing

    • Student Life
      • Student Life Home
      • Bangor and the Area
      • Social Life and Entertainment
      • Student Accommodation
      • Clubs and Societies
      • Sport
      • Virtual Student Experience
      • Videos and Vlogs
    • Your Experience at Bangor
      • Student Support
      • Skills and Employability
      • Study or Work Abroad
      • Fees and Finances

    Student Profiles

    Student Videos and Vlogs

    Welcome 2022

    • Choose Bangor
      • International Home
      • Why Bangor?
      • Location
      • Accommodation
      • Student Support
      • Contact Us
      • Bangor University's China website
    • Apply
      • Entry Requirements
      • Tuition Fees and Scholarships
      • How to Apply
      • Already Applied
      • Study Abroad
      • Exchanges
      • Worldwide Partners

    Country Specific Information

    Bangor University International College

    Find a Course

    Clearing 2023

    • Research
      • Research Home
      • About Our Research
      • Research in our Academic Schools
      • Research Institutes and Centres
      • Research Portal
      • Integrated Research and Impact Support (IRIS) Service
      • Energy
      • REF 2021
      • Research News
    • Postgraduate Research Opportunities
      • Postgraduate Research
      • Doctoral School
    • Events and Training Opportunities
      • Researcher Development
    • The University
      • About Us
      • Our Mission
      • Strategy 2030
      • Annual Report & Financial Statements
      • Our Location
      • Academic Schools and Colleges
      • Services and Facilities
      • Vice-Chancellor's Office
      • Working with Business
      • Working with the Community
      • Sustainability
      • Health and Wellbeing
      • Contact Us
    • Working for Us
      • Job Vacancies
    • University Management and Governance
      • Policies and Procedures
      • Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
      • Management and Governance
    • University and the Community
      • Pontio
      • Sports Facilities
      • Conference Facilities
      • Places to Eat and Drink
      • Public Events
      • Widening Access
      • Services to Schools
    • Business Services
      • Business Services Home
    • Collaboration Hub
      • Collaboration Hub
    • Conferencing and Business Dining
      • Conferencing Facilities
      • Business Dining
    • Intellectual Property (IP) and Commercialisation
      • Intellectual Property (IP) and Commercialisation
    • News
      • Current News
      • Research News
      • Student News
    • Events
      • Events
    • Announcements
      • Flag Announcements
  • Open Days

    • Study Options
      • Study Home
      • Why Study at Bangor?
      • Undergraduate Study
      • Postgraduate Taught Study
      • Postgraduate Research
      • Executive Education
      • Part-time Courses
      • January Start Courses
      • Degree Apprenticeships
      • Study Abroad
      • Work Experience
    • Study Advice
      • Apply
      • Already Applied?
      • Fees and Finances
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • Get Ready for University
      • Widening Access
    • Explore Bangor
      • Open Days and Visits
      • Virtual Student Experience
      • Magical Bangor

    Find a Course

    Order a Course Guide

    Open Days

    Clearing

    • Student Life
      • Student Life Home
      • Bangor and the Area
      • Social Life and Entertainment
      • Student Accommodation
      • Clubs and Societies
      • Sport
      • Virtual Student Experience
      • Videos and Vlogs
    • Your Experience at Bangor
      • Student Support
      • Skills and Employability
      • Study or Work Abroad
      • Fees and Finances

    Student Profiles

    Student Videos and Vlogs

    Welcome 2022

    • Choose Bangor
      • International Home
      • Why Bangor?
      • Location
      • Accommodation
      • Student Support
      • Contact Us
      • Bangor University's China website
    • Apply
      • Entry Requirements
      • Tuition Fees and Scholarships
      • How to Apply
      • Already Applied
      • Study Abroad
      • Exchanges
      • Worldwide Partners

    Country Specific Information

    Bangor University International College

    Find a Course

    Clearing 2023

    • Research
      • Research Home
      • About Our Research
      • Research in our Academic Schools
      • Research Institutes and Centres
      • Research Portal
      • Integrated Research and Impact Support (IRIS) Service
      • Energy
      • REF 2021
      • Research News
    • Postgraduate Research Opportunities
      • Postgraduate Research
      • Doctoral School
    • Events and Training Opportunities
      • Researcher Development
    • The University
      • About Us
      • Our Mission
      • Strategy 2030
      • Annual Report & Financial Statements
      • Our Location
      • Academic Schools and Colleges
      • Services and Facilities
      • Vice-Chancellor's Office
      • Working with Business
      • Working with the Community
      • Sustainability
      • Health and Wellbeing
      • Contact Us
    • Working for Us
      • Job Vacancies
    • University Management and Governance
      • Policies and Procedures
      • Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
      • Management and Governance
    • University and the Community
      • Pontio
      • Sports Facilities
      • Conference Facilities
      • Places to Eat and Drink
      • Public Events
      • Widening Access
      • Services to Schools
    • Business Services
      • Business Services Home
    • Collaboration Hub
      • Collaboration Hub
    • Conferencing and Business Dining
      • Conferencing Facilities
      • Business Dining
    • Intellectual Property (IP) and Commercialisation
      • Intellectual Property (IP) and Commercialisation
    • News
      • Current News
      • Research News
      • Student News
    • Events
      • Events
    • Announcements
      • Flag Announcements
  • Open Days

Information for:

  • Alumni
  • Applicants
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • Parents
  • Job Vacancies
  • Covid-19
My country:

Search

Close

Breadcrumb

  • Cymraeg

Share this page:
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Apply Now

Find out how to apply

Open Days

More information

Order a Course Guide

Order Now

Request Information

Get in touch

Chat to our staff and students

Connect through Unibuddy

Module DXX-4517:
Forest Ecology and Resources

Forest ecology and resources 2024-25
DXX-4517
2024-25
School of Environmental & Natural Sciences
Module - Semester 1
20 credits
Module Organiser: John Healey
Overview

The core component of the syllabus focuses on: forest ecology, forest biodiversity and its assessment (ranging from practical tree species identification to analysis and interpretation of inventory data); quantitative forest ecological survey and inventory (covering its purposes, sampling issues, and selection of field measures); forest regeneration and resilience; monitoring changes in forest structure and composition, prediction and modelling. Consideration is given to the identification of factors controlling forest condition and dynamics and the respective roles of structured comparisons and experiments.

To address this the module will cover general principles relevant across a wide range of biomes. For the first half of the syllabus and the three practicals run by JRH (forest ecology) the focus will be primarily on natural forests with high biodiversity, which are dominated by natural dynamic processes. It starts with a brief overview of ecological theory and knowledge applied to forests is then provided, with emphasis on landscape ecology, forest dynamics, ecological diversity of tree species, the ecological basis of silviculture, and the maintenance of biodiversity. This is followed by an overview of Welsh woodlands and their ecology as the context for the setting of the field practicals. Then the focus is on the methods used to assess plant biodiversity, stand structure and dynamics, and analyse and interpret the resulting data. It is designed as a specialist module for which students will require knowledge of plant population and community ecology (from previous study or preparatory reading). Because of the limit of available time the module gives minimal coverage of ecological theory, natural history, animals or UK-specific methodologies. The module is dominated by practical sessions and there is a strong emphasis on “learning by doing”.

The second half of the syllabus starts with an overview of world-forest resources (including the challenges of their definition and classification). It will assess the scale, rates, distribution and causes of deforestation and forest degradation. Then their implication of global and local ecosystem services will be considered. There will be a brief overview of forest policy issues, instruments and initiatives, leading to forest management and conservation. Synthesis of the different components of the module is provided by an assessment of the evidence needs to implement forest policy and for forest management and conservation and how it can be met through forest ecology assessment. Particular attention is paid to participatory approaches, payment for ecosystem services schemes, sustainable and adaptive forest management.

I. Key aspects of forest ecology for forest management and assessment

II. Welsh woodland conservation and habitat networks; methods in biodiversity assessment

III. Ecological survey and assessment of forests; monitoring; determining the factors controlling forest structure, productivity and composition; impact assessment

IV. World forest resources (definitions, classification); rates and distribution of deforestation

V. Deforestation and forest degradation: scale and causes; consequences for ecosystem services (1): global climate change

VI. Deforestation and forest degradation: consequences for ecosystem services (2): biodiversity, water, soils, ecological factors in resilience

VII. Policy issues, instruments and initiatives, including REDD+ and ‘Woodlands for Wales’; synthesis – evidence needs for forest policy, management and conservation

VIII. Non-timber forest product resource assessment

Assessment Strategy

Threshold - (C)Aware of the key principles underlying the science. Pass level in scientific practical report with calculations, presentation, professional report and exam answers. Basic competence demonstrated in summarising, presenting and discussing the results. Able to work as a member of a team in carrying out simple assessment of plant biodiversity and forest ecology and carrying out simple numerical analysis of the results, research, preparation and presentation. Able to complete basic reports on these activities in the time allocated.

Good - (B)Better understanding of the principles. Reports and presentation show good structure, and summary, presentation and discussion of results. Good understanding demonstrated of issues surrounding sources of error, the implication of the work for the future design of biodiversity and ecological assessments, and possible implications of the results for the conservation management of the studied forest. Insight demonstrated into the key evidence requirements for successful implementation of forest policy, management or conservation. Play a major role in the group enabling it to complete a wide range of data analyses and interpretation and finish competent reports and presentation in the time allocated.

Excellent - (A) Very good understanding of the science. High level of competence demonstrated in devising and completing reports and presentation, showing a high degree of selectivity in which results are presented and the form of presentation, and in answering exam questions. Demonstration of excellent knowledge of sampling issues including the identification of key points for improved field-assessment design, application of appropriate statistical analyses, insightful conclusions about conservation management of the studied forest. Evidence provided of original thinking about the key challenges of identifying and meeting evidence needs for implementation of forest policy, management or conservation. Play a leading role in the group enabling it to complete a wide range of data analyses and interpretation and finish competent reports and presentation in the time allocated. Evidence of considerable effort and thought.

Learning Outcomes

  • 1. Demonstrate understanding of the ecological information needed to implement forest policy and for forest management and conservation

  • 2. Analyse and interpret existing information

  • 3. Plan and carry out plant biodiversity and ecological assessments

  • 4. Analyse, present and interpret the results

  • 5. Demonstrate understanding of the principles and use of modelling, monitoring and experimentation

  • 6. Make recommendations about the application of results for future forest assessment and management

Assessment method

Group Presentation

Assessment type

Summative

Description

Presentation on Group Research

Weighting

15%

Due date

09/12/2022

Assessment method

Report

Assessment type

Summative

Description

Professional Report

Weighting

15%

Due date

16/12/2022

Assessment method

Report

Assessment type

Summative

Description

Scientific report on group practical work with calculations

Weighting

50%

Due date

30/11/2022

Assessment method

Exam (Centrally Scheduled)

Assessment type

Summative

Description

Module Test

Weighting

20%

Due date

20/01/2023

Home

Study

  • Undergraduate Study
Home

Follow Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn

Bangor University

Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DG, UK

+44 (0)1248 351151

Contact Us

Visit Us

Maps & Directions

Policy

  • Legal Compliance
  • Modern Slavery Act 2015 Statement
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy and Cookies
  • Welsh Language Policy
Map

Bangor University is a Registered Charity: No. 1141565

© 2020 Bangor University