6SU312 Current topics in applied ecology
Inform and update students in current topics in applied ecology, and enable students to criticise prestigious publications objectively.
Recent international publications in the four topics of applied ecology:
1) The ecological effetcs of human impact in nature;
2) The ecological effects of remedial actions;
3) Sustainable utilisation of natural resources;
4) Wildlife and habitat monitoring.
A weekly meeting point between the scientific staff and students. Each seminar is organised under the supervision of the responsible teacher by a group of students presenting a recent publication in applied ecology which they will critically evaluate as if they were referees. Some seminars are carried out by invited lecturers.
Each presentation will be assessed & will contribute 10% towards the final grade.
Evaluation will be based on showing a good understanding of the material and an ability to communicate the main points of the paper by giving a clear and well structured synthesis which should include the objectives of the study, a clear description of the methods / study design & explanation of the main results together with a critical evaluation of the material, including ways the study could have been improved, whether sampling has been adequate, whether appropriate statistical methods were used, and whether the conclusions are adequately supported.
