| CODE | ISS5115 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Ecology and Biogeography of Islands | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Islands and Small States Institute | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit will cover the following themes: - 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 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); - The great susceptibility of islands to habitat changes, introduction of predators and competitors, and to human activities, making island ecosystems very vulnerable to environmental mismanagement. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit aims to impart knowledge to students relating to basic ecological and biogeographical concepts in the context of island life, and to enable students to acquire skills that enable them to explore the nature of the interaction of organisms with both their physical surroundings and with members of their own and of other species with special reference to island environments. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify patterns of biological diversity and the factors that affect such patterns, including human impacts; - Provide explanations for the changes in the distribution and abundance of species, with special reference to islands. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply techniques involving qualitative and quantitative approaches for analyzing matters relating to biogeography, including populations and population growth, intra- and inter-specific interactions, ecological niches, communities and ecosystems, evolutionarily process on island and threats to island ecosystems. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main 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]. Supplementary Readings: - QUAMMEN, D. (1996) The song of the dodo: island biogeography in an age of extinctions. London, Pimlico. [A popular, very readable introduction to island biogeography]. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Fieldwork, Lecture and Online Learning | ||||||||||||
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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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