BIMPK12-Vegetation Survey and Assessment

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Email: j.mitchley@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces students to the common families of vascular plants in the UK, it develops practical identification skills including the use of keys and other aids to the identification and it introduces the methodology of Phase 1 habitat survey in the UK. This module also develops students’ knowledge of vascular plant ID, and introduces the orders of bryophytes in the UK, it develops practical identification skills including the use of keys and other aids to the identification, it develops understanding of the biogeography and ecology of plants and vegetation and it introduces the methodology of Phase 2 NVC survey in the UK.

Aims:

• To introduce common families of vascular plants in the UK;
  
  To develop practical identification skills including the use of keys and other aids to the identification;


• To introduce the methodology of Phase 1 habitat survey the UK.


• To develop ID skills in vascular plants, orders of bryophytes in the UK;


• To develop advanced identification skills including the use of keys and other aids to the identification;


• To develop understanding of the biogeography and ecology of plants and vegetation.


• To introduce the methodology of Phase 2 NVC survey in the UK.

Assessable learning outcomes:

• Ability to identify a wide range of common vascular plant species found in and around Berkshire using living material in the lab and in the field*;


• Ability to construct and evaluate a key to plant ID*;


• Ability to carry out a Phase 1 habitat survey and present the results to industry standards*;


• Ability to identify a wide range of common bryophyte species using living material in the lab and in the field*;


• Develop advanced skills of plant identification using keys and other ID aids*;
  
  Understanding some of the factors affecting the distribution and ecology of plants and vegetation in Britain.


• Ability to carry out a Phase 2 NVC quadrat survey and present the results and analyse the data to industry standards.

Additional outcomes:

• Working in groups on ID tasks and problems e.g. quadrat survey.

Outline content:

• Field botany, the parts of a flower, plant ID (vascular plants, to identify plants in vegetative and flowering condition;


• Using low and high power light microscopes to aid identification of plants;


• Writing and evaluating keys to aid identification of plants;


• Phase 1 survey background, methodology and practical application.


• Identification on winter trees and shrubs;


• Identification of bryophytes;


• Identification of ferns;


• Identification of grasses and sedges;


• Extreme botany - identification using fruits, seeds and plant fragments;


• Knowledge of the biogeography and ecology of plants and vegetation in Britain;


• Phase 2 NVC survey background and applications.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Lectures, workshops, lab sessions for plant ID and data analysis, field classes for vegetation survey and data collection and plant ID.

Summative assessment- Examinations:
None

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

• Phase 1 habitat survey report – autumn term (40%);


• Plant ID test autumn term – lab (20%);


• Plant ID test Spring term – lab (20%); and


• Plant ID test Spring term – field spot test (20%).

Formative assessment methods:

Making a key;

Regular formative plant ID tests;

Practice key sessions; and

NVC data analysis.

Penalties for late submission:
Penalties for late submission on this module are in accordance with the University policy. Please refer to page 5 of the Postgraduate Guide to Assessment for further information: http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/exams/student/exa-guidePG.aspx

Assessment requirements for a pass:
50%

Reassessment arrangements:
Submission of additional coursework

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: Recommended ID books £50

2) Specialist equipment or materials: Hand lens £10

Last updated: 18 November 2019