BI3EUA-Ecology of Urban Areas

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Phil Baker
Email: p.j.baker@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Through lectures this course will provide a detailed knowledge of the ecology of urban areas, both in the context of urban areas in the wider landscape as well as ecology within urban areas.

Aims:

Through lectures this course will provide a detailed knowledge of the ecology of urban areas, both in the context of urban areas in the wider landscape as well as ecology within urban areas. Particular emphasis will be given to variation in the global concept of urban areas (i.e. what is an urban area?), how urban areas affect a range of taxonomic groups, how species have “adapted” to living within urban areas and how human-wildlife conflicts within urban areas arise and how these are managed. The course will also examine issues relating to the impact of the urban environment on human behaviour, health and well-being and how this could be managed to create significant benefits for individuals and society. Examples discussed within the module will include mammalian carnivores (including companion animals e.g. cats and dogs), commensal rodents, birds, invertebrates and plants.

Assessable learning outcomes:

1. Describe and discuss the history of urban areas as a form of human habitation, and how these are projected to change in the future at a global scale


2. State and describe international variation in the definition of “urban areas”, and how this may impact the synthesis of urban ecology studies


3. Describe and discuss patterns of variation in the structure of urban areas, including in the context of socioeconomic divisions


4. Compare and contrast the impact of urbanization on the distribution, density and community structure of different taxonomic groups including mammals, birds and invertebrates


5. Describe and discuss the concept of the “global homogenization” of urban flora and fauna


6. Describe and discuss the physical, physiological and behavioural traits which appear to allow difference species to persist within urban areas


7. Describe and discuss how the urban landscape has led to the modification of selected behavioural traits within some species


8. Describe and discuss the positive and negative impacts of the various forms of pollution found in urban areas on urban wildlife


9. Compare and contrast the ecology of cats and dogs both within urban areas and in the wider landscape


10. State and discuss the potential impacts of roads on the population dynamics, reproductive output and ecology of different taxonomic groups


11. Describe and discuss patterns of disease transmission within and between species, and from wildlife and companion animals to humans


12. Describe and discuss the range of nuisance conflicts arising between humans and urban wildlife and how these are managed


13. Describe and discuss evidence for and against the impact of wildlife and natural landscapes within urbanized areas on human health and well-being, and how this may be managed for the benefit of human residents


14. Discuss how urban areas could be managed for the benefit of wildlife, including e.g. the design of urban gardens, urban nature reserves and by using “green roofs”. Emphasis will be given to possible limitations and benefits of these different approaches in the context if national conservation strategies


15. Discuss how continuing patterns of global urbanization are likely to impact global biodiversity


16. Critically evaluate published studies on urban ecology


17. Describe and discuss observational and experimental approaches used to study different aspects of urban ecology

Additional outcomes:

Students will gain experience of working in a group to complete a hypothetical research grant application, in which they will have to utilise their knowledge of experimental approaches they have encountered within the degree programme as a whole.

Outline content:

A series of lectures will be used to cover topics relating to the ecology of urban landscapes across the globe, but with particular emphasis on the UK. Introductory lectures will address the history of urban development and differences in the structure of urban areas; particular emphasis will be given to consideration of a lack of a standardized definition of an urban area in different countries. Subsequent lectures will address the impact of urban development on selected taxonomic groups including mammalian carnivores, birds, invertebrates and plants. Throughout the module, emphasis will be given to identifying how the urban landscape affects these different taxa in terms of their morphology, physiology and behaviour, and the ultimate effects on species density and community composition. The course will also consider the impact of urban wildlife and urban landscaping on aspects of human health and well-being, and how human residents seek to help urban wildlife through different activities such as providing supplementary food. Additional discussion will consider the importance of disease transmission within urban areas, including from wildlife to humans. Finally, we will consider the possible role of urban areas in conservation.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be one 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour seminar each week. Students will complete one group assessment over the course of the material focussed on a hypothetical research grant application. Students will acquire additional information from directed reading allied to the lecture material and to the group-project.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	20	10
Seminars	10	5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	30	20
Wider reading (directed)	20	10
Exam revision/preparation	10	5
Dissertation writing	10	10
Essay preparation	20	20
Total hours by term	120	80	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

One group assignment in Autumn Term (grant application)

Individual continuous assessment in Spring and Summer Term (two essays from from a choice of four)

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

By continuous assessment in August / September

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 15 March 2023