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BOT331 – LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY AND PEOPLE COURSE OUTLINE

BOT331 – LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY AND PEOPLE COURSE OUTLINE Patterns of biodiversity globally and nationally Landscape systems of SA and majors drivers of vegetation structure, function and floristics

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BOT331 – LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY AND PEOPLE COURSE OUTLINE

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  1. BOT331 – LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY AND PEOPLE • COURSE OUTLINE • Patterns of biodiversity globally and nationally • Landscape systems of SA and majors drivers of vegetation structure, function and floristics • Field based methods for collecting floristic & structural/function veg. data for classification & ordination • Geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques – the power of modern technology • Environmental legislation, integrated environ. mangmt. (IEM), & integrated catchment mangmt. (ICM) • An introduction to resource economics • Ecotourism, an industry for the future? • Community based resource management (CBRM) – is there a place for public participation? • “Green” politics – is there a role for a SA Green Party?

  2. MAIN OUTCOMES • Students will be able to prepare an environmental impact assessment/report that is based on sound ecological principles • Students will have a fundamental appreciation of the role of: • 1. the “authority” • ecologists • 3. stakeholders and • clients - in relation to decision making regarding • ecological/ environmental development issues • Students will be aware of the peer reviewed literature and will be able to read, analysis and present reviews • Students will be able to debate relevant topics related to the conservation of biodiversity • Students will have participated in a workshop where all views are canvassed and consensus is reached

  3. COURSE STRUCTURE • PRACTICAL SKILLS • How to collect basic structural/functional and floristic data • An introduction to Raunkiaer’s Life Form classification & Dansereau’s Symbolic Representation, & how these classic methods can be modified for contemporary use • Will be exposed to a brief overview of vegetation sampling methods to collect frequency, density and cover-abundance plot/quadrat data for floristic and structural/functional vegetation analysis • Be aware of the concept of homogeneity/heterogeneity, and species area determination for the selection of optimum sample size for field data collection

  4. LECTURES • Week 1 Analysis of patterns of biodiversity. What is a Hot Spot, concepts for measuring biodiversity (α, β, γ, & δ) • Weeks 2/3 Intro. to SA landscapes at biome & major vegetation/floristic level. With Cape Floristic Region (CRF) emphasis, and what major environ. drivers determine floristics, & structural/function similarities and differences • Week 4 Remote Sensing Techniques and the concept of GIS – from aerial photographs to multi-spectral scanning techniques. M&E techniques, environ. policies & resource economics • Week 5 Preparation of Management Plan (you must select an area & this must be discussed with me BEFORE you can proceed), + preparing for the debate on “Green Politics” • Weeks 6/7 Ecotourism, CBRM, public participation and “Green Politics’ debate

  5. FIELD WORK SESSIONS 1 An overview of structural/functional attributes of the major plant communities in the CFNR 2 Methods for estimating cover/abundance data 3/4 Vegetation sampling techniques – frequency, density, cover-abundance 5 Determination of optimal sample size. 6 Collection of Mountain Fynbos, Renosterveld and Little Karoo data (weekend of 24/25 September) 7 Collection of Thicket and Forest data 8 Data analysis – Ordination and Classification 9/10 Write-up of practical notes 11-14 Extra time for preparation of your small reserve Management Plan

  6. ASSESSMENT • 1. Practicals • A brief & critical review of the first 5 sessions handed in on the Wed. & Mon. following the Mon. & Thurs. sessions (reviews to be a concise, critical appraisal - that MUST be referenced to the primary literature - to follow the guidelines for presentation of papers in the SAJB • Following the ordination & classification pracs a critical review of the methodology & results on Mon. 17th October at 11h00 • 2. Management Plan. This will be finalised and handed in by • 10h00 on 25th October • 3. Tests • The first test will cover work done in Weeks 1 & 2, & will be written in the first hour of the practical session on 29th Sept. • The second test on the 17th Oct. at 14h00, & will cover the work done in Weeks 3 & 4

  7. MARKS • 1. The brief review of field sessions 1-5 will each be worth • 2% of the final mark……………………….… ..(Total 10%) • 2. The review of ordination/classification is for……… .10% • 3. Each test will be for 10% ………………………..(Total 20%) • 4. Each student will review a Journal article………….…(2%) • 5. Participation in the course will be progressively • assessed and be worth ………………………………....3% • 6. The Debate will be assessed and count for.................5% • 7. The Management Plan is part of the Final Assessment • (which means the Management Plans will go to the • external examiner) and is for………………………...20% • 8. The Final Exam will be for ……………………..............30% • TOTAL 100%

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