| CODE | ISS5012 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Principles of Ecology and Bio-Geography of Islands | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 8 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Islands and Small States Institute | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit is designed for students who only have a limited knowledge of biology. Ecology is the scientific study of the relationship between organisms and their environment. This study-unit will explore the nature of the interaction of organisms with both their physical surroundings and with members of their own and of other species. Topics discussed will include: basic ecological concepts; populations and population growth; interspecific interactions (competition, predation); ecological niches; communities and ecosystems; community structure; succession; food chains and trophic levels; production; nutrient cycling. Having established the principles, these will be used to gain an understanding of the particulars of island ecology and biogeography, which often present unique features. Ecological and biogeographical phenomena associated with island life include: - The effect of isolation, size and availability of resources (type and quantity) - these act individually and synergistically to limit dispersal of biota to and from islands, to limit the number of species and of the population size of individual species, and to influence turnover rate of the biota. - The rate at which evolutionary processes operate on islands, which is frequently different from that on the mainland. This results in accelerated speciation and greater vulnerability to extinction. - Phenomena such as unbalanced biotas (mixture of functional types different from the mainland), island nanism and gigantism (some organisms become dwarfed on islands, others become very large) and high endemism (development of unique island forms). - Great susceptibility to habitat changes, introduction of predators and competitors, and to human activities, making island ecosystems very vulnerable to environmental mismanagement. Texts: - BALDACCHINO, G. [ed.] (2007) A world of islands: an island studies reader. Malta & Canada: Agenda Academic & Institute of Island Studies. [A reader on all aspects of island studies. Chapters 1-7 are particularly relevant to this study-unit]. - COTGREAVE, P. & FORSETH, I. (2002) Introductory ecology. Blackwell Science. [Excellent introductory text that touches on all aspects of ecology]. - KREBS, C.J. (2009) Ecology: the experimental analysis of distribution and abundance. [6th ed.] Benjamin Cummings [A more advanced text for those who already have a background in biology or ecology]. - WHITTAKER, R.J. & FERNÁNDEZ-PALACIOS, J.M. (2007) Island biogeography: ecology, evolution, and conservation. [2nd ed.]. Oxford University Press, Oxford. [An introduction to all aspects of ecology and biogeography of islands but assumes a good background knowledge of ecology]. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Patrick J. Schembri |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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