AESC40690 Ecosystem Monitoring

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module covers the science, tools and data management for long-term ecosystem monitoring related to forestry, agriculture, semi-natural ecosystems and catchments. The first part of this module is designed to introduce students to ecosystem concepts, monitoring methods, survey designs and ecosystem models. The second part provides an overview of ecosystem component-specific methods, case studies and current monitoring schemes in Ireland and Europe, with a focus on land uses. The last part of the module is focused on data quality control, management, storage and development of effective databases for long-term monitoring sites and networks.
The aim of the module is to advance students' theoretical and practical knowledge of terrestrial ecosystem monitoring and related national and international networks.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should:
Have advanced understanding of ecosystem monitoring principles, designs and methods
Be able to design and develop a monitoring research project
Be able to conduct data quality control and develop a monitoring database

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

11
Practical

16
Specified Learning Activities

30
Autonomous Student Learning

53
Total

110
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module consists of lectures, seminars, practicals and site visits, covering the theoretical background and practical application of monitoring tools.
The module is designed for blended learning and delivery. The face-to-face lectures are enhanced by providing online resources and activities (such as reading materials, quizzes, video demonstrations) for asynchronous learning, which will require at least 1 hour study time per week.

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Quizzes during the semester Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, Week 10 Graded No

30

 Yes
Individual Project: Oral presentation of the monitoring proposal Week 12 Graded No

30

 Yes
Report(s): Written proposal on the monitoring project design Week 15 Graded No

40

 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

On quizzes - online automated feedback On monitoring proposal - feedback individually to students, post-assessment On monitoring project design - feedback individually to students, post-assessment

Name Role
Assoc Professor Paul Murphy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer