BA Geography / Course details

Biogeography looks to explain the patterns of life we see today. Through this module we will explore the role and significance of physical and biological controls on the distribution of life. We will also look at the ways in which plants and animals live together in communities, and more broadly in biomes, as well as the geography of biodiversity. We will explore the role of evolution and plate tectonics as drivers of change in the patterns of life. We will consider the importance of historical biogeography and the influence of humans as agents of change. Finally the link between biogeography and conservation will be explored.
 

•  explain the distribution of plants and animals we see today
•  understand how plants and animals live together in communities and biomes
•  explore the role and significance of plate tectonics and evolution as drivers of change
•  consider the importance of climate change in the past to understand the modern distribution of plants and animals
•  understand how human actions have affected the biogeography of different species
•  understand the significance of the link between biogeography and conservation

Finding a home – physical controls on plant and animal distribution
Living together- ecosystems and communities
Patterns in the Past – Plate tectonics and modern-day species distribution
Quaternary Change – climate change and biogeography
Island biogeography
Conservation biogeography
Zoos and conservation
 

The course will be delivered via a series of lectures. The lectures will include time for interaction via class discussion, consolidation sessions and revision exercises. Learning will be supported through workshops and seminars. Students are expected to read widely, undertake the support activities as instructed for each class, and come prepared to make contributions in seminars and discussions. The course aims to offer a visit to Marsden Moor, to investigate the some of the physical controls and plant species distributions.  We will also aim to visit the Manchester Museum to discuss conservation. Learning will be supported via the course VLE site, which will provide access to course materials and wider resources, including links to TV and radio clips relevant to the study of biogeography. 

•    Describe and explain the role of physical and biological factors in the distribution of plants and animals

•    Demonstrate how evolution and plate tectonics have shaped the patterns of life we see today

•    Evaluate the significance of climatic changes to biogeography

•    Assess the role of humans as agents of extinction and evolution

•    Appraise the significance of biogeography in conservation biology
 

•    Research skills, including selecting and citing relevant research in biogeography
•    Appreciate the different types of biogeographical research (e,g, observational studies, historical studies, modelling and simulations)
 

•    Writing clear, concise, well-structured and informative essays
 

(1) Assessment Task

Coursework Essay

Length:          2000 Words
Feedback:     Will be provided via comments on the VLE, within 3 working weeks of submission
Weighting:     33%

(2) Assessment Task

Exam

Duration:        2 Hours     
Weighting:      67%
 

The core text for the course is:
Cox, C.B., Moore, P.D. and Ladle, R., 2016. Biogeography: an ecological and evolutionary approach. John Wiley & Sons – available as an e-book, with multiple hard copies also available in the library

There are several other Biogeography textbooks available in the library. 
In addition students will be expected to read articles from the primary research literature, including articles in journals such as:

•    Biological Conservation
•    Global Ecology and Biogeography
•    Journal of Applied Ecology
•    Journal of Biogeography
•    Journal of Ecology
•    Nature
•    Oecologia
•    Science 
•    Trends in Ecology and Evolution