Freshwater ecosystems: lentic and lotic habitats, plant and animal life; physico chemical and other abiotic influences in freshwater ecosystems Marine ecosystems, concentrating on the ecology of rocky shores; brief consideration of sandy, muddy and estuarine ecosystems; plant and animal life and the influence of physico chemical and other abiotic fasctors intrinsic to these ecosystems. General introduction to plant and vegetation ecology, plant communities in Ireland. Woodland ecosystems: structure, composition, succession. Adaptations of woodland plants and animals. Population dynamics and ecological strategies of woodland plants. Food webs, primary and secondary productivity in these ecosystems. Detritus and grazing food chains. Detritivores in woodlands; fungi and their role in woodlands. Introduction to vegetation sampling.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Distinguish between the variety of concepts used to convey information about the distribution of organisms (habitat, community, biome ecosystem etc.) List and identify 10 organisms typical of each of the sub-communities in each of the three ecosystem types studied. Analyze and summarise the likely factors influencing the distribution of organisms in an area. Compare and contrast the differences between detritus and herbivore food chains by relevant examples. Use appropriate sampling strategies to quantify the density, frequency or cover of organisms.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Appreciate the contribution of organisms to global ecosystem services. Realize the relation between ecosystem integrity and biodiversity.

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Use identification keys to identify organisms.

The module will be taught by lectures assisted by on-line resources (Sulis). There will be a two-hour practical session each week in which the students will learn identification and sampling skills. There will be a one-day fieldtrip to each major habitat (3 in all), in which the students will carry out a survey using appropriate sampling strategies and techniques, with the aim of estimating the distribution of organisms in the habitat. This will culminate in a field report. All practical work will be written up and submitted on-line. In the case of the education students, this will mirror what they may be required to do when teaching ecology at second level. The content of the learning experience is designed to be well-connected to other ideas and to the real world and to be personally relevant, interesting, useful, or meaningful to the student. The aim is to engage the students, stimulate their curiosity, encourage their self-confidence, responsibility and sense of accomplishment, cooperation with fellow students, and self-knowledge.

The module is constantly updated in light of scientific and educational developments.