NES8104 : Forest Ecology
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Janet Simkin
- Lecturer: Dr Helen Adamson, Professor Marion Pfeifer, Professor Darren Evans
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To develop understanding and knowledge of the ecology of and current issues affecting forest and woodland environments, predominantly but not exclusively in temperate regions, with a view to management for ecosystem services, biodiversity and commercial uses including sustainable food production.
Outline Of Syllabus
The ecology and ecophysiology of temperate broadleaved, boreal and tropical forests;
British native woodlands, their history, traditional uses and management, and condition;
British native trees, their ecology and identification, management of veteran trees;
Vegetation-soil relationships;
Ground and epiphyte flora;
Tree pests and diseases;
Woodland management for biodiversity and conservation;
Current issues, such as ecosystem services, climate change, pollution, habitat loss, sustainable land use, afforestation and rewilding;
Trees in agricultural landscapes and sustainable food production, including farm woodlands, hedgerows, agroforestry and orchards;
Commercial forestry, silvicultural systems and multipurpose forestry;
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | Structured guided learning using online lecture materials |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 44:00 | 44:00 | Report |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 16:00 | 16:00 | Presentation |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 24 | 1:00 | 24:00 | Research, practical exercises and formative assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Presentations, seminars and discussions. |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Practical exercises |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 3 | 6:00 | 18:00 | Fieldtrips. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Drop Ins |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 53:00 | 53:00 | Includes research for assessments |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Introduction to Module. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The lectures and seminars provide the theoretical and conceptual knowledge required to understand forest ecology and ecosystem functioning. Practical work on field trips and in the laboratory will support this and lead to an understanding of the biodiversity of woodlands in good and poor condition, the assessment of tree health, and the development of identification skills.
Seminars will provide opportunities for critical discussion of recent developments in sustainable forestry, rewilding and afforestation.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 1 | M | 30 | Presentation on a topic chosen by the student (10 mins plus questions) |
| Report | 1 | M | 70 | Site report (max 3000 words) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | Online canvas quiz to support skills development. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The presentation gives the students an opportunity to explore a topic of local interest to them, related to the material covered in the module and relevant to their degree programme. For international students this may relate to land use, conservation issues or food production issues in their own country. The scope and topic will be agreed with the module leader in advance.
The report provides an opportunity to use the skills learned during this module to assess the condition and biodiversity of a local woodland or plantation, and to make recommendations for management.
Skills development during the module will be supported by the use of a formative online quiz on canvas.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES8104's Timetable