GPHY 318/3.0 - Advanced Biogeography Ecology of the       Castle Grounds

Dr. Sarah McKenzie

Introduction to Themes and Scope of the Course

This practical course enables students to survey the wild plants and animals which occur in the 600 acre Herstmonceux Castle grounds. The theory of habitat and species survey techniques will be explained and students will put this into practice each week during the course. Analysis of the data gathered and critical evaluation of methods is an important part of the course. The information collected will help to build a data base of the ecology of Herstmonceux Castle grounds. This helps inform future management strategies.

Indication of work load

Students will be expected to study for an average of two hours per week, but this will increase when writing field reports.

Expected Learning Outcomes

1. Use different survey techniques successfully in the field
2. Identify a range of species from each habitat surveyed
3. Develop data analysis and reporting skills and critically evaluate methods and analysis.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between geology and soils and the flora and fauna they support
5. Consider how data gathered may contribute to future management of the site

 

Assessment Requirements (and percentages) for this course

Class participation	10%
Field Notebook	20%
Fieldwork report 1	20%
Fieldwork report 2	30%
Presentation on habitat management	20%

 

Lecture titles for each week

Each week there will be a lecture(1 hr 20 mins) introducing the topic followed by a practical exercise in the field (3 hrs) and a final data interpretation/discussion class session (1 hr 20 mins)

Week 1         Small mammal survey techniques

Week 2         Hole-nesting birds

Week 3         Hole-nesting bird parasites

Week 4         Dead wood invertebrates + small mammal survey

Week 5         Dragonfly survey techniques

Week 6         Moth survey techniques

 

Recommended reading and web sites

Core text book: Wheater, C. P. Cook, P. A. and Bell, J.R. 2011 Practical Field Ecology - A project guide. Wiley-Blackwell.

Week 1	Core text pp 225-227
	The Mammal Society- Species Hub http://www.mammal.org.uk/node/30
Week 2	Core text pp 213-215
	The Nest Record Scheme http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/nrs
Week 3	Mazgajski, T.D. 2007 Effect of of nest material on nest site selection and breeding parameters in secondary hole nesters – a review.
	ACTA ORNITHOLOGICA Vol 42 (2007) no.1 - Available on Moodle
Week 4	Kirby, P. 2001 Habitat management for invertebrates: a practical handbook. RSPB Management Guides. pp 27-29
Week 5	Smallshire, D and Swash, A. 2004 Britain’s Dragonflies 2nd edition pp 8-9
Week 6	Core text pp 167-171
	Sussex Moth group trapping guide: http://www.sussexmothgroup.org.uk/trapping.php