Biogeography

Course Description

This class provides an introduction to the study of biogeography. Bridging the fields of biology and geography, biogeography is the study of the distribution of plants and animals across the Earth. In this course, we will be concerned with identifying how historical, physical, and biological factors affect present and past distributions of individuals, species, communities, ecosystems, and biomes. The actions of humans are a critical force impacting other species, and the human influence on past, present and future species distributions is a central topic in this module.

Aims and Objectives

In addition to offering a survey of the basics of biogeography via class lectures, this course also aims to introduce students to various methodologies used in biogeographic research. Hands-on field, lab, and data analysis exercises will allow students to put learned concepts into practice and give students experience working with the techniques used by biogeographers.

Learning Outcomes

* Comprehension of the basic principles of biogeography as a discipline
* A developed capacity to apply the field methodologies and data analysis techniques used in biogeography
* Critical understanding of human impacts on species distributions and modern conservation strategies

Method of Assessment

60% - Final examination (2 hour)

40% - Four practical exercises. Students will apply a field, laboratory and/or data analysis technique and write a short (500-700 words plus figures) lab report for each exercise.

Class Readings

Main Texts (on 3-hour reserve):

Biogeography: An Ecological and Evolutionary Aproach, 7th edition. 2005. C.B. Cox and P.D. Moore. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK, 440 pp.

Supplementary Readings:

R1. Jeffrey, D.W. 2003. Grasslands and heath: A review and hypothesis to explain the distribution of Burren plant communities. Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 103B: 111-123.

R2. Mills, L.S., M.E. Soule, and D.F. Doak. 1993. The keystone-species concept in ecology and conservation. Bioscience 43: 219-224.

R3. Hoekstra, J.M., T.M. Boucher, T.H. Ricketts, and C. Roberts. 2005. Confronting a biome crisis: Global disparities of habitat loss and protection. Ecology Letters 8: 23-29.

R4. Myers, N., R.A. Mittermeier, C.G. Mittermeier, G.A.B. da Fonseca, and J. Kent. 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403: 853-858.

R5. Minchin, D., C. Maguire, and R. Rosell. 2003. The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas) invades Ireland: Human mediated vectors and the potential for rapid intranational dispersal. Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 103B: 23-30.

R6. Diaz, R.J. and R. Rosenburg. 2008. Spreading dead zones and consequences for marine ecosystems. Science 321: 926-929.

R7. Behrensmeyer, A.K. 2006. Climate change and human evolution. Science 311: 476-478.

R8. Margules, C.R. and R.L. Pressey. 2000. Systematic conservation planning. Nature 405: 243-253.

R9. Tubridy, M. and G. O Riain. 2002. Preliminary Study of the Needs Associated With a National Ecological Network. Synthesis Report, Environmental Protection Agency, Wexford, Ireland, 8pp.

R10. Pennisi, E. 2004. Ice ages may explain ancient bison?s boom-bust history. Science 306: 1454.

R11. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2007. Group II Report: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Summary for Policymakers: 16 pp.

http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar4/wg2/ar4-wg2-spm.pdf

Other useful texts in library:

Environmental Biogeography. 2005. Ganderton, P. and P. Coker. Prentice Hall, Harlow, England, 283 pp.

An Introduction to Applied Biogeography. 1999. I.F. Spellerberg. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 243 pp.