2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG2005 The dynamic environment of the Cévennes National Park (Massif Central, France)

10 creditsClass Size: 45

Module manager: Dr Katy Roucoux
Email: k.roucoux@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2013/14

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG2009

The dynamic environment of the Hohe Tauern National Park (Ea

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module introduces students to field methods in physical geography, focusing on research issues specific to the montane and Mediterranean environments in southern Europe and is centred around a week-long field trip to the Cévennes National Park during the Easter vacation. Preparatory reading and a lecture introduce the field area and scientific topics. During the first few days of the field trip, students will be introduced to the locale and to a range of different fieldwork skills. These skills will then be put into practice by working in a small group on a project chosen by the group. The group will plan their research, collect field measurements, analyse and interpret them, and each student will write an individual report on the results on their return.

Objectives

On completion of this module students should have acquired:
1. an understanding of how to plan, collect, analyse and interpret field measurements of environmental phenomena for research in physical geography;
2. knowledge of the geology, landscapes and climates represented in this region of southern Europe past and present, their impacts on (and interactions with) ecology, evolution, geomorphological and hydrological processes, and relevance to local issues of land management and conservation;3. an understanding of how to carry out a project which fulfils a set of aims and objectives, and uses statistical and/or modelling methods learned in other modules.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should:
1. have developed an appreciation of the geology, soils, geomorphology, palaeoecology, ecology, climate, agriculture, economy and culture in a region characterised by distinctive climatic, geological and ecological gradients;
2. be able to plan research projects involving field measurements, analysis and interpretation;
3. have applied their theoretical knowledge and skills in physical geography and statistical analysis and be able to use these effectively for independent research.

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in planning, taking, analysing and interpreting field measurements for solving research problems in physical geography;
2. Be able to apply statistical and other methods to solving problems;
3. Be able to work together in small groups, negotiate and manage themselves to become an effective team focused on achieving specific goals with the resources and time available;
4. Be able to keep a record of where they have been, what they have done, what they have seen, and how this relates to the theories and methods which they have learned about in lectures, and appreciate the need to relate theory to field observations in order to develop a sound understanding of the landscape, its history, and the events and processes which shape it.

Syllabus

A. Field techniques
1. Geomorphology and hydrology (e.g. analysis of fluvial processes, soil processes, and topographic survey)
2. Ecology (e.g. vegetation survey, plant identification, measuring forest dynamics and biomass)
3. Palaeoecology (e.g. sediment sampling, description and interpretation, plant macrofossil and pollen analysis)

B. Example topics
1. Forests as carbon stores
2. Peat bogs as archives of past environments
3. Effect of disturbance on diversity
4. Effect of climate on vegetation and land management strategies
5. Geomorphological and/or hydrological processes (rivers, slopes and soils)

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	1	49.00	49.00
Lecture	1	1.00	1.00
Private study hours			50.00
Total Contact hours			50.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

- Research for field course before the field course (23 hours)
- Completion of field log book during the field class (5 hours)
- Research for individual field report (20 hours)
- Completion of group presentation during the field class (2 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress is monitored by:
1. performance on the field course each day
2. field notebook (checked after first day and midway through the trip)
3. assessed work for the field course.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	Individual 2,500 word report	50.00
Presentation	Group presentation	25.00
Written Work	Field Note Book	25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Presentation assessed during field class. Note book given formative feedback during the trip, and assessed when submitted with individual report (deadline approximately 3 weeks after return).

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 31/01/2014

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