Learning Partnerships, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
AS20198 Natural resource assessment and data management 2 |
| Credits: 5 |
| Level: Intermediate |
| Academic Year at Wiltshire College |
| Assessment: CW 100% |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take AS10193 |
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Aims: The aims of this unit are to:
* build on the learning outcomes of Natural Resource Assessment and Data Management 1. * provide a further range of survey skills. * provide skills in statistical analysis. * provide skills in the use and application of GIS. Learning Outcomes: At the end of this unit students will be able to: * plan and carry out specialist surveys relating to a selected habitat using a range of appropriate methods and equipment. * plan and carry out specialist surveys relating to a selected animal species using a range of appropriate methods and equipment. * plan and carry out visitor surveys, quantifying distribution and abundance of people, their motivation, needs and desires, demonstrating an understanding of methods used. * analyse and interpret detailed datasets. * use computer programs to process and interpret survey data, write reports and present data. * acquire data using GPS field survey techniques. * use a spatial data to create maps, extract data and formulate management plans. 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 to aid professional decisions (T,A). Practical: * carrying out surveys (T,A). Key: * undertaking appropriate calculations (T). * effectively communicating results (T,A). * utilising problem-solving skills for decision making (A). * writing reports (T,A). Content: This unit concentrates on: * a review of key survey skills studied in Year 1 and the application of a range of sampling methods for statistical analysis and presentation of data. * surveying a selected habitat (e.g. lowland woodland) for species diversity, canopy cover, tree height, dbh, biomass, timber volumes, veteran trees and dead wood and producing datasets to facilitate the writing of an appropriate management plan. * surveying of a selected species / species group (e.g. fish population) and recording water states and quality, fish numbers and age classes and producing datasets to facilitate the writing of an appropriate management plan. * assessment of visitor sites, e.g. accessibility, features, internal and external information, infrastructure and service quality; producing a questionnaire and surveying a visitor group(s) to produce datasets for the writing of a management plan. * field survey skills using the application of GPS technology, e.g. understanding accuracy and errors, Wide Angle Augmentation, co-ordinates, the use of waypoints and data transfer. * digital mapping and GIS, covering GIS components, data sources, spatial data and modelling, attribute data management, data input and editing; the extraction and analysis of data for projects; the application of GIS in habitat and species management on a local scale and the use of GIS on regional, national and international scales. |