Modiwl DXX-1001:
Ecosystem Function & Services
Ecosystem Function & Services 2024-25
DXX-1001
2024-25
School Of Natural Sciences
Module - Semester 2
20 credits
Module Organiser:
Paula Roberts
Overview
Lectures:
- Introduction ecosystem concepts and matter flows
- Ecosystem services
- Ecosystem development
- Ecosystem Function & Biodiversity models
- Ecosystem productivity
- Ecosystem collapse
- Climate and microclimate
- Soil formation
- Soil mineralogy and weathering
- Soil organic matter and chemical properties
- Ecosystem productivity
- Food webs and below-ground biodiversity
- Above and below-ground biodiversity
- Root processes
- Plant water relations
- Plant reproduction
- Plant structure
- Photosynthesis types, pigments, environmental control
- Plant stress tolerance I (moisture stress)
- Plant stress tolerance II (heat and cold)
- Temperate grasslands
- Mangroves
- Wetlands and salt marshes
- Polar ecosystems
Practicals
a) Wetland Ecology and GHG
b) Soil Field Trip
c) Water Quality - Nitrate practical
d) Plant Reproduction / ecophysiology
Learning Outcomes
- Appreciation of the ecosystem function of a number of key ecosystems.
- Understanding of soils and soil development.
- Understanding of the concept of ecosystems and their dynamic nature.
- Understanding of the process involved in ecosystems carbon fluxes, such as photosynthesis, food webs and decomposition.
Assessment type
Summative
Weighting
15%
Assessment type
Summative
Weighting
15%
Assessment type
Summative
Weighting
15%
Assessment type
Summative
Weighting
55%