University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 1 and Spring | Credits: 5

This module explores how the ecosystem can be assessed from a number of different perspectives including; i.e. geology, hydrology, soils, biodiversity, etc. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the connections between these parameters with a view to producing an overall integrated ecosystem assessment procedure.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Recognise the influence of abiotic factors such as geology and hydrology on the ecology of the ecosystem
  2. Interrelate different parameters that comprise an ecosystem
  3. Differentiate between a number of different ecosystem types
  4. Examine ecosystem function and apprise ecosystem services provided
  5. Identify and assess main landscape features
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Environmental science – Earth as a living planet" by Botkin, D.B. & Keller, E.A.
  2. "Ireland. New Naturalist Library." by Cabot, D.
  3. "Ecological concepts, pp. 43-78. British Ecological Society" by Cherrett, J.M.
    Publisher: Blackwell Scientific Publishing
  4. "Linking Geology and Biodiversity" by English Nature
  5. "Principles and methods in landscape ecology" by Farina, A
  6. "Land mosaics – The ecology of landscapes and regions." by Forman, T. R.T
    Publisher: Cambridge University Press
  7. "The making of the Irish landscape since the ice age" by Hall, V.
    Publisher: Collins Press.
  8. "Collins Press." by Holland, C.H. & Sanders, I.S.
    Publisher: Edinburgh: Dunedin Press.
  9. "Millennium ecosystem assessment" by n/a
    Publisher: Island Press
  10. "Ecology: The experimental analysis of distribution and abundance." by Krebs, C.J.
    Publisher: Pearson Education.
  11. "Measuring biological diversity." by Magurran, A. E.
    Publisher: Blackwell Publishing.
The above information outlines module EV507: "Ecosystem Science" and is valid from 2023 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.