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Learning objectives
At the end of the course you:
- will know the basic principles underlying the taxonomy and phylogeny of plants and arthropod animals, with a focus on biodiversity in the Netherlands (P1)
- will be able to properly use identification keys in order to identify the order, family and in some cases species to which a plant or arthropod belongs (P2, P5)
- can list ecological factors and their influence on the distribution of plant and animal species in floodplain landscapes and forested slopes of push moraines (P1, A3, A4)
- can work in groups to collect data on the occurrences of plants and animals and the ecological field conditions using basic techniques, critically interpret such data, and coherently report the main conclusions (P5, P6, A3, A4)
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Contents
In this course you will eventually perform your own research investigating the ecological conditions that influence the diversity of plants and arthropod animals in the field. This introduction to field ecology requires that you first learn to identify plants and animals. By guided computer modules and studying real specimens in the lab you will gain an understanding of the main plant and animal groups and the morphological traits used to distinguish them, building on the knowledge gained during the course ‘Evolution and adaptation of animals’.
Field excursions to floodplains and forests will illustrate to you how abiotic conditions in the field are linked to the occurrences of plants and animals. You will then perform your own research in the floodplains near Beuningen, collecting data on the occurrences of plants and animals. You will analyze these data to ascertain which ecological conditions influence the diversity of plants and arthropod animals in the field and you will present your findings to your peers.
Instructional Modes
- Lecture
- Response course
- Self-study
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Your grade will be determined by an individual digital assessment (weighting factor 2/3) and a group exercise (weighting factor 1/3).
- The digital assessment comprises three parts and will test your skills in recognizing and identifying vascular plants (contributes to 3/7 of the assessment grade) and arthropod animals (contributes to 3/7 of the assessment grade). For both the parts on plants and on animals you have to meet the threshold of a 5.5. In addition, knowledge of the lectures will be tested (contributes to 1/7 of the assessment grade). Minimum grade 5.0
- The group exercise comprises conduction your own ecological research in the floodplains near Beuningen. The grade will be determined based on a presentation and your group performance. Minimum grade 5.5
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