Ecology & Environmental Biology MRes
Spatial Ecology BIOL5430
Spatial Ecology BIOL5430
- Academic Session: 2024-25
- School: School of Biodiversity, One Health & Vet Medicine
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Semester 2
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
Short Description
This course will give the student the conceptual foundations and software tools to allow them to process spatial data and interpret the results in terms of the ecological mechanisms driving the spatial distribution of species and biodiversity. Particular emphasis will be placed in avoiding pitfalls of model specification and interpretation. The course will cover movement at a range of scales, from individual movements of animals or plant propagules to the flux of populations across global scales.
Timetable
This course is made up of lectures and practical classes in semester 2.
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
Assessment will consist of up to 10 laboratory reports, only 8 of which will be summative (60%) and a final project (40%). The final project will assess all the ILOs; it consists of a theoretical part (50%, 2000 words) and a practical part (50%).
Course Aims
The aim of this course is twofold. First, to provide students with the practical tools to organise and manipulate spatial data (vector and raster forms) under a Geographic Information System (GIS) and how to write efficient GIS scripts within the language R for batch processing of data. Second to set rigorous conceptual foundations for thinking about the mechanisms and models relating to the movement of individuals, coordinated groups and the spatial distribution of population and ecological communities.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
- Show a practical awareness of the types of data and necessary checks for spatial analysis.
- Recognise, evaluate and critically discuss a range of solutions for GIS problems.
- Critically discuss, evaluate and reflect on aspects of individual cognition and behaviour that might drive animal movement.
- Critically discuss, evaluate and reflect on aspects of the environment that determine the movement of plant propagules.
- Critically discuss, evaluate and reflect on the limitations of empirical statistical models for capturing complex ecological processes in space and deploy associated solutions.
- Recognise and discuss questions posed in environmental versus geographical spaces.
- Critically discuss and develop applications for data originating in the areas of conservation or epidemiology.
Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits
Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course’s summative assessment.