+1 862 207 3288 The aim of this exercise is to explore the factors that influence the distribution of plant species in a specific location. The site to be investigated will be selected on the basis of availability and access, near the start of semester 1, each year. The site will be visited, described, examined and analysed during the course of this module.
The factors to consider are:
• Climate
• Soils
• Geology
• Topography
• Land-use
Knowledge of the interactions between these factors is expected to come across in the report. You are also expected to apply your knowledge of ecological principles and theories in the explanation of the site.
The first stage of the investigation is to walk the field looking for variations in the vegetation. This could be structural (e.g. sward height) or differences in the species present (do not worry about identifying the species present at this stage). At the same time you should be looking for variations in topography, land use and land management.
Once all groups have approximately mapped the area a sampling strategy will be agreed for the class.
On a second visit, data on species distribution and abundance will be collected on site. In addition, soil samples may be collected for laboratory analysis.
Guide to Content and Marking
Learning Outcomes Assessment Criteria Threshold Standard (40%)
Explain the influence of edaphic, climatic and hydrological factors on the growth and distribution of organisms. Accuracy of interpretation of the distribution of species in relation to a range of edaphic, climatic and hydrological factors on a specific site. Correct in at least site context.
Discuss key ecological principles and their implications for conservation management. Explain interactions between organisms on the site and their immediate environment. Show understanding of basic principles.
Present a scientific investigation in a report format. Use of relevant scientific and professional conventions for report writing. To present a standard report format with at least minimum professional, academic standards of communication skills.
This report will provide a full description and discussion of the investigation. You are recommended to use the headings identified below. This table also shows the marks allocated to each section. Use this as a guide to the effort you should expend on element.
The report must be written precisely in accordance with the Authors’ Instructions, given alongside this brief (see Note, below). These instructions are heavily based on those required by the Journal of Applied Ecology. Adherence to such editorial prescriptions is a professional necessity and is part of your employability development.
You must use the data from the Excel.
Structure
ApproxMarks
Introduction
Background to the study including the following:
precise site location, description and situation
site history
other information from secondary sources 20
Methods
Brief description of the techniques used (not a full account, unless unique) with a justification of the approach used. List of apparatus. 10
Results
Presentation of data using tabular and/or graphical techniques.
Identification of significant results and trends (i.e. those to be discussed in the next section). 20
Discussion
The relationships between the environmental conditions and biological data based on key results identified in the previous section.
The impact of past management and adjacent land uses 40
Conclusion
Accurate; well chosen; appropriate to discussion; informs further research or management of site. 10
Style and presentation
The work must be word processed and 1.5 line-spaced on A4 paper. The word limit is 3500 words. In accordance with university regulations, exceeding the word limit by more than 20% will result in a deduction of 10% of the available marks.
Note: The work must be presented precisely in accordance with the Authors’ Instructions. Failure to apply these conditions will result in the loss of 25% of your marks awarded for the other elements in the marking scheme. This partially simulates the fact that a publisher will simply reject a document submitted in the wrong format.
In addition the following features will be looked for:
a clear and logical flow (use sub-headings as appropriate)
evidence of wide and appropriate reading of academic texts
correct use of English spelling and grammar. Note
Submission: hard-copy, via Assignment Management
You are reminded that all materials used must be appropriately referenced. You can find guidance on referencing material at http://www.learnhigher.ac.uk/Students/Referencing.html. Failure to adequately reference material may be regarded as plagiarism. (If you are unclear of the University Regulations in this regard they can be found at https://students.shu.ac.uk/regulations/misconduct/index.html.
Work must be submitted in a secure wallet or folder with the standard cover sheet. Do not staple or bind pages together.
Tideswell Dale Soil Analysis Data
pH Organic matter (%) Texture (%) P (mg/kg) Ca (mg/kg) Mg (mg/kg) K (mg/kg)
(%) Sand Silt Clay Ca Mg K
Main slope top 4.9 27.0 67.0 26.0 7.0 12.0 2951.4 750.9 602.3
5.0 19.5 70.0 26.0 4.0 12.8 2892.3 818.5 548.0
4.8 27.0 74.0 20.0 6.0 11.5 3010.4 743.4 608.3
4.7 18.1 78.0 20.0 2.0 12.1 3098.9 773.4 662.5
Main slope 5.1 23.0 86.0 8.0 6.0 11.3 2328.3 433.2 258.1
middle 5.2 23.9 86.0 8.0 6.0 12.0 2351.6 394.2 234.9
4.8 25.3 84.0 9.0 7.0 10.2 2095.5 428.9 234.9
4.7 23.5 84.0 8.6 7.4 10.3 2305.0 411.6 258.1
Main slope 5.5 35.0 69.0 27.0 4.0 25.0 19800.0 782.0 822.0
bottom 5.4 23.0 57.0 33.0 10.0 26.8 19404.0 836.7 871.3
5.8 20.0 88.0 8.0 4.0 23.8 21780.0 766.4 838.4
5.8 23.1 96.0 2.0 2.0 22.5 21186.0 852.4 830.2
Limestone 7.4 18.0 67.0 27.0 6.0 3.9 27894.6 679.1 515.1
slope 7.2 22.2 66.8 27.0 6.2 4.2 26778.8 679.1 499.7
8.8 26.9 68.0 26.5 5.5 4.2 27615.6 719.8 515.1
7.9 23.4 69.0 24.8 6.2 4.1 28452.5 685.9 463.6
Adit spoil 5.8 15.0 60.0 38.0 2.0 17.0 21074.0 1998.0 518.0
5.6 15.4 94.0 0.0 6.0 17.0 18966.6 1878.1 497.3
6.6 7.5 95.0 0.0 5.0 18.0 20652.5 2157.8 549.1
6.0 8.9 92.0 0.0 8.0 16.7 22970.7 1918.1 554.3
Plateau 5.1 24.7 90.0 8.0 2.0 38.0 11512.1 540.0 480.0
6.5 22.8 84.0 14.0 2.0 35.3 11051.6 523.8 475.2
6.6 22.7 80.0 14.0 6.0 39.9 12317.9 577.8 475.2
6.2 23.1 82.0 14.0 4.0 35.7 11396.9 572.4 475.2
Below trees 7.7 6.6 64.0 30.0 6.0 27.0 25238.0 808.9 416.4
7.7 12.2 74.0 16.0 10.0 24.6 27761.8 873.6 378.9
7.6 21.2 76.0 18.0 6.0 27.8 25238.0 760.4 458.0
7.5 14.3 70.0 22.0 8.0 26.7 27004.6 849.3 412.2
