Learning Partnerships, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
AS10193 Natural resource assessment and data management 1 |
| Credits: 10 |
| Level: Certificate |
| Academic Year at Wiltshire College |
| Assessment: CW 60%, EX 20%, PR 20% |
| Requisites: |
|
Aims: The aims of this unit are to:
* provide an understanding of legislation relating to surveyed species and the management of survey staff. * provide students with a grounding in the practical aspects of investigating, recording and managing appropriate natural resources. * give instruction in survey techniques for UK flora, fauna and fungi in lowland and upland environments using a variety of methods and equipment. * provide skills in the collation, analysis and presentation of survey data. * encourage students to develop their own area of specialism or expertise within the broad area of UK species. Learning Outcomes: At the end of this unit students will be able to: * plan and carry out surveys, quantifying distribution and abundance of taxa and demonstrating an understanding of methods used. * identify a range of flora, fauna and fungi in a variety of environments and meteorological events. * demonstrate familiarity with identification keys. * use computer programs to process and interpret survey data, write reports and present data. * understand and demonstrate confidence and competence in producing and presenting a poster paper on an individual species or species group. Skills: During the unit students will gain the following skills: Intellectual: * carrying out desk research (T,A). * interpreting knowledge and results (F,A). Professional: * writing reports (T,A). Practical: * carrying out surveys (T,A). Key: * calculations (T,A). * written work (A). Content: This unit concentrates on: * Health and Safety legislation as prescribed by the Health and Safety at Work Act and RIDDOR. An understanding of possible risks associated with possibilities of exposure to adverse terrain, weather, toxic plant material, vectors of disease and zoonoses in general; preventative measures, e.g. PPE and post survey inspections. * the use of Ordnance Survey maps in the planning of survey work, identifying features and habitats from maps, use of the UK OS Grid, the production of cross-sections and 3D models, using maps to calculate expedition timing. * an understanding of meteorology, recording and analysis of trends. * the use of knowledge of legislation and maps to facilitate the writing of risk assessments in relation to outdoor survey work and provision of checklists before and after survey work. * the development of taxonomic knowledge to aid identification of groups and species. * the distribution of selected habitats, e.g. deciduous and coniferous woodland, ancient semi-natural woodland, calcareous grassland, blanket bog and mountains; how resident species reflect features of habitats and identification of niche plants and animals. * survey methodologies for named habitats, e.g. Phase 1 and 2 Habitat Survey, National Vegetation Classification, River Corridor Surveys, transects. * survey techniques for animal communities, e.g. aquatic invertebrates, small mammals and birds. * preparation of reports on survey work utilising spreadsheet programs for the creation of tables and charts, and desktop publishing programs for the creation and production of poster papers. |