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:
Current from: 2018/9

Email: j.mitchley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces students to the common families of vascular plants, orders of bryophytes and main types of epiphytic lichens in the UK, it develops practical identification skills including the use of keys and other aids to the identification, it develops understanding of the biogeography and ecology of plants and vegetation and it introduces the methodology of Phase 1 habitat survey and Phase 2 NVC survey in the UK.

Aims:

• To introduce common families of vascular plants, orders of bryophytes and main types of epiphytic lichens in the UK;


• To develop practical identification skills including the use of keys and other aids to the identification;


• To develop understanding of the biogeography and ecology of plants and vegetation.


• To introduce the methodology of Phase 1 habitat survey and Phase 2 NVC survey in the UK.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Ability 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;


• Ability to construct and evaluate a key and other aids to plant ID;


• Understanding some of the factors affecting the distribution and ecology of plants and vegetation in Britain.


• Ability to carry out a Phase 1 habitat survey and present the results to industry standards.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

• Field botany, the parts of a flower, plant ID (vascular plants, bryophytes and macro lichens) to identify plants in vegetative and flowering condition;


• Using low and high power light microscopes to aid identification of higher and lower plants;


• Writing and evaluating keys to aid identification of plants;


• Extreme botany - identification using fruits, seeds and plant fragments;


• Knowledge of the biogeography and ecology of plants and vegetation in Britain.


• Phase 1 survey background, methodology and practical application.


• Phase 2 NVC survey background and applications

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures, workshops, lab sessions for plant ID and data analysis, field classes for vegetation survey and data collection and plant ID.

Summative assessment- Examinations:
None

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Plant ID tests in lab and field 50%.


• Construction and evaluation of a key 10%.


• Plant indicator species reports 15%.


• Phase 1 habitat report 25%.

Formative assessment methods:

Regular formative plant ID tests.

Practice key sessions.

NVC data analysis.

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

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:
Submission of additional coursework

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: Recommended ID books £50

2) Specialist equipment or materials: Hand lens £10

Last updated: 20 April 2018