Gjeldende emnebeskrivelse (sist oppdatert 2023/24)
Biodiversity and Biogeography
BIO9007
Gjeldende emnebeskrivelse (sist oppdatert 2023/24)

Biodiversity and Biogeography

BIO9007
The extent of global biodiversity and related biogeographic theory is explained and practical methods of data analysis, including the new field of biodiversity informatics, is introduced.

The biodiversity of life in marine and freshwaters will be introduced, including how species rich these environments are compared to land,

alternative measures of biodiversity, and why confusion on how many species may exist complicates estimates of extinction rates.

Biogeography is the science of how the Earth’s history and present environment determines speciation, habitat diversity and biodiversity patterns. It provides both a theoretical basis for understanding how biodiversity evolved and has applications in deciding where to have nature reserves, the spread of invasive species, and predicting the effects of climate change.

Key theories, hypotheses, rules and concepts presented include: Island Biogeography, continental drift,

connectivity, dispersal, geneflow, Mid-domain model, Rapport’s, Bejernick’s (= Bass -Becking), endemicity,

realms, biomes, ecosystems, habitats, deep-sea diversity, environmental niche, effects and causes of mass extinctions.

How leading biodiversity informatics resources have developed and can be used, including the Global Biodiversity Information Facility,

Ocean Biodiversity Information System, FishBase and AquaMaps, will be explained. Practical exercises will involve students using these

resources to study selected species they are interested in, e.g., if threatened, charismatic, important food species, pest species,

keystone. Use of categorical data analysis methods, such as multi-variate cluster and neural network analyses, will be demonstrated.

Persons eligible to study a PhD

Knowledge:

Students will be familiar with the

  • diversity of life in marine and freshwater environments, biogeographic theory and concepts,
  • potential and limitations of biodiversity informatics resources for research and management.

Skills:

  • Students will know how to apply understanding of how biodiversity is maintained to nature conservation and invasive species management,
  • including projections of how climate change will affect biodiversity and biogeography.

General Competence:

  • Students will be able to explain and apply key theories and concepts in biodiversity and biogeography, and
  • to analyse online biodiversity databases for research and information management.
No tuition fees. Semester fees and cost of course literature apply
The course involves attendance and completion of all parts of the MSc Course BIO5007, including aiding discussion amongst the MSc students during seminars.
Evaluation using mid-term and final surveys. Students are also encouraged to participate in the central quality surveys
A practical assignment will include analysis of biogeographic data from online databases.
Students are required to obtain a grade B or above in Bio5007 plus Pass an additional practical assignment at PhD level. This individual additional course assignment will be a research seminar on a topic that complements and adds to the Bio5007 curriculum agreed in advance with the course coordinator.

not applicable.

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