BIMPK12-Vegetation Survey and Assessment

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Email: j.mitchley@reading.ac.uk

Summary module description:

Aims:
• To develop practical identification skills for higher and lower plants (vascular plants and mosses and lichens);
• To introduce and practice the main methods of vegetation survey used in UK conservation and ecological assessment: Phase 1 Habitat Survey mapping and target notes;
• To introduce Phase 2 (National Vegetation Classification) survey, including practice quadrat surveys and analysing data using keys, the NVC volumes and appropriate software (e.g. MAVIS);

Assessable learning outcomes:
• To identify a wide range of common higher and lower plant species found in and around Berkshire using living material in the lab and in the field, using herbarium material and using keys;
• To carry out Phase 1 habitat survey and present the results to industry standards;
• To understand the concept of phytosociological analysis, to design and carry out a Phase 2 quadrat survey and use the “National Vegetation Classification” to analyse the data (e.g. using MAVIS), to identify different vegetation types and write up the results to industry standards;
• To recognize a range of NVC vegetation types in the field and from written descriptions and species lists and to discuss the factors controlling their composition;

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
• Plant ID (vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens) using living material and herbarium material and keys to identify plants in vegetative and flowering condition;
• Using low and high power light microscopes to aid identification of higher and lower plants;
• UK Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology and practice;
• UK Phase 2 vegetation survey methodology and practice;
• Data analysis and identifying plant communities from field data using the NVC volumes and keys and appropriate software;
• Ecological interpretation of vegetation data (e.g. using Ellenberg’s indices);

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures, workshops, lab sessions for plant ID or data analysis, field classes for vegetation survey and data collection and plant ID, computer lab session for data analysis.

Other information on summative assessment:
1. Phase 1 Survey (week 11 autumn term, 25%).
2. Phase 2 Survey (week 11 spring term, 25%).
3. Plant ID tests, week 8 and 9 spring term, 50%.


Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Formative assessment methods:
Bi-weekly plant ID formative tests
Field walks
Practice key sessions
Practice data analysis and interpretation session

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Length of examination:
None

Requirements for a pass:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:
Submission of additional coursework

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 21 December 2016