| Unit name | Environmental Systems and Ecosystem Services |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CENGM0020 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Gronow |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
N/A |
| Co-requisites |
N/A |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
In this unit students will learn the basics of ecology. In particular, they will examine ecosystems and the place of humans within them. Further, they will investigate the way that the environment meets human needs (ecosystem services) and the effects that humans have on the ecosystems.
The unit covers: the concept of ecosystems (including trophic levels, energy movement and nutrient cycles); resource evaluation, classification and sustainable use; examples of human impact on the environment (eg agriculture, urbanisation) set in the context of population and economic growth; the case for conservation of biodiversity and natural resources and the relationship with the Sustainable Development Goals.
This unit will be taught by leading practitioners in the areas of ecology and environmental management.
At the end of this unit successful students will be able to:
O1.1 define and explain basic terms in ecology, such as taxon, biome, succession, biodiversity;
O1.2 describe and discuss environmental systems; in particular, ecosystems, nutrient cycles, resources and human impact on the global environment;
O1.3 examine the working of these systems and apply the results of this examination to make technical and management decisions;
O1.4 critically review international, national and organisational policies with respect to sustainable development;
The teaching in this unit comprises formal lectures, seminars, group work and field trips.
This unit will be assessed (70%) by coursework (a 3000-5000 word assignment relating to part of the unit, but which requires further reading and research), and (30%) by in-unit tasks (field notes, group presentation). Formative assessment/feedback is also provided throughout the unit from group work, presentations and marking of field notes.
Smith, P (2013) Indicator Plants
Simmons, I.G. (2001) An Environmental History of Great Britain: from 10,000 years ago to the present. Edinburgh University Press, 0748612831
Sutherland, W.J. and Hill, D.A. (1995) Managing Habitats for Conservation. Cambridge University Press, 0521447763
Hill, M.O., Preston, C.D. and Roy, D.B. (2004) Plantatt: Attributes of British and Irish Plants: Status, life history, geography and habitats. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, 1870393740
Kruckberg, A.R. (2004) Geology and Plant Life: The effects of landforms and rock types on plants. University of Washington press, 029598452X
Begon, M. C.R. Townsend, J.L. Harper (2006) Ecology: From individuals to ecosystems (4th Edition) Blackwell, 1405111178
