| CODE | EMP5032 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Habitat and Species Monitoring | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Environmental Management and Planning | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | will train students in the use of varied species and habitat monitoring techniques. Biodiversity monitoring plays a critical role for both scientific research and for evidence-based policy making and may serve varied purposes, including monitoring of population trends and species distributions. A variety of species observation techniques will be explored, including visual and/or acoustic observation, capture and release, quadratting and transect techniques, camera trapping, and citizen science approaches, among others. Students will be encouraged to reflect critically on the relative strengths and weaknesses of different approaches in terms of aspects including coverage, accuracy, cost, impact, and other relevant criteria. Given that sampling and observation techniques are species specific, the unit will also focus on a selection of species groups of local conservation interest for an in-depth illustration of monitoring techniques through extensive fieldwork. Habitat monitoring will also be explored, with reference to aspects included habitat typologies, habitat area, habitat distribution and habitat structure and function. Methods for habitat monitoring, including field mapping and remote sensing through use of drones will be explored through hands-on practice in the field. The unit will also introduce the use of modelling techniques to extrapolate from field data. Study-Unit Aims: - To familiarise students with a variety of species and habitat mapping and monitoring techniques; - To train students in the use of selected field observation and mapping techniques; - To enhance students’ ability to critically evaluate species and habitat data obtained through monitoring campaigns. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Differentiate between different functions of species and habitat monitoring campaigns; - Identify elements of best practice in habitat and species monitoring; - Identify a range of sampling designs for different monitoring purposes; - Critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different species and habitat monitoring methods. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Employ a selection of habitat and species monitoring techniques in the field; - Recognise limitations and constraints of field data collection; - Critically evaluate the quality of habitat and species monitoring data; - Anticipate and adapt to challenges related to work in the field. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Readings: - Hill, D., Fasham, M., Tucker, G., Shewry, M. and Shaw, P. (2005). Handbook of biodiversity methods: survey, evaluation and monitoring. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. - Bunce, R.G.H., Boger, M.M.B., Roche, P., Walczak, M., Geijzendorffer, I.R. and Jongman, R.H.G. (2011). Manual for habitat and vegetation surveillance and monitoring: temperate, Mediterranean and desert biomes. Alterra, Wageningen. - Ausden, M. (2007). Habitat management for conservation: a handbook of techniques. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Supplementary Readings: - Wich, S.A. and Koh, L.P. (2018). Conservation drones: mapping and monitoring biodiversity. Oxford University Press, Oxford. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Fieldwork | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Alexander Borg John Borg Louis Francis Cassar (Co-ord.) Adam Gauci Ricci Jean Marc Pace |
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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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