Biogeography

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• To describe main theories underlying biogeographical research.
• To apply biogeographical concepts to a wide range of environmental problems
• To describe processes such as extinctions, biological invasions, and dispersal in explaining biogeographical patterns
• To describe the historical factors that influence current species distributions.

1) Introduction to biogeography

2) Historical Biogeography

3) Biodiversity patterns: baselines, patterns, and processes

4) Species distribution under global change

5) Island Biology

6) Biological invasion

7) Conservation biogeography

Teaching and learning methods

The module consists of:

1) Lectures and Seminars: to discuss recent literature and case studies to learn basic concepts related to Biogeography.

2) Poster project: to research a topic related to the syllabus content that is of interest to the students.

3) If resources and timing allows, we will aim to have a local field trip to discuss issues of relevance to the module.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Global Ecology and Biogeography.

Journal of Biogeography.

Textbooks

Whittaker, RJ; Fernández-Palacios, JM (2009). Island Biogeography. Oxford Univeristy Press.

Lomolino, MV; Riddle, BR; Whittaker, RJ; Brown JH (2010). Biogeography. Sinauer Associates.

Ladle, RJ; Whittaker, RJ (2011). Conservation Biogeography. Wiley-Blackwell.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: External