2016-2017
Field Biology: Exploring Sussex Wildlife and Habitats
Category: Biology
Code: IS 175
Level: 5
Credits: 15
Teaching Pattern
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Seminar
4 x 2hrs
4 x 2hrs
4 x 2hrs
4 x 2hrs
Field trip
1 x 4hrs
1 x 4hrs
1 x 4hrs
1 x 4hrs
Tutorial
1 x 20min
*you will be expected to do approximately 108 hours of independent study over the 4 weeks.
*Additional Field Trip fee £45.00
Outline
This module enables you to explore a range of Sussex habitats and experience sampling of a variety of
animal and plant species. You travel to different locations to assess aquatic, chalk grassland and coastal
habitats. There will be opportunities to examine aquatic and marine invertebrates and you undertake a
small mammal survey on campus. Help is provided with plant identification. Some walking up hills and over
rough ground is required, so this may be challenging for students with mobility impairment. You should
ensure that your tetanus injections are up to date. Please bring a waterproof jacket, thick durable hiking
boots with a good grip, a sun hat with a brim (not a baseball cap) and plenty of sunscreen. Temperatures
can reach over 80oF and it can also rain heavily.
Week 1
Introduction to course
Small mammal biology and survey techniques. Preparation for field work
Carry out a small mammal survey.
Review results.
Week 2
Chalk grassland. The formation of chalk, the property of the soils and the plant species that
make up the chalk grassland community. Preparation for field trip.
Survey arable reversion and species-rich chalk grassland using quadrats.
Review results.
Week 3
Inter-tidal habitats, the effect of tides, zonation, the range of species and their adaptations to
exposure to air.
Survey the different tidal zones and record the species found.
Review results.
Week 4
1
SUMMER Session 1
The biology of ditches. Practical session looking at a sample of aquatic life. Preparation for
field trip.
Survey ditches recording physical structure, vegetation and aquatic faunal species.
Review results.
Indicative Reading List
Corbet, G.B. and Harris, S. 1990 Handbook of British Mammals. Oxford.
Fish, J.D. & Fish, S. 1996. A Student’s Guide to the Seashore. Cambridge. CUP.
Fitter, R. and Manuel, R. 1986 Collins Field Guide to Freshwater Life. London. Collins. (Supplied by tutor).
Orton, R., Bebbington, A. and Bebbington, J. 1995. Freshwater Invertebrates. Shrewsbury. Field Studies
Council. (Supplied by tutor)
Rose, F. and Reilly, C. 2006. The Wild Flower Key. London. Warne.
Wheater C.P., Cook P.A. and Bell, J.R. 2011. Practical Field Ecology
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students will be able to;
Identify a range of British small mammals and understand their habitat needs.
Identify a variety of aquatic and marine flora and fauna.
Compare and contrast flora present in arable reversion and semi-natural chalk grassland on
Mount Caburn National Nature Reserve.
Evaluate critically the methods used.
Contacts
Sarah McKenzie
2
SUMMER Session 1
[email protected]
Phone :
Indicative Reading List
Core Reading List
Wheater C.P., Cook P.A. and Bell, J.R. 2011. Practical Field Ecology.
Fish, J.D. & Fish, S. 1996. A Student’s Guide to the Seashore. Cambridge. CUP.
Fitter, R. and Manuel, R. 1986 Collins Field Guide to Freshwater Life. London. Collins.
Rose, F. and Reilly, C. 2006. The Wild Flower Key. London. Warne.
Orton, R., Bebbington, A. and Bebbington, J. 1995. Freshwater Invertebrates. Shrewsbury. Field Studies
Council. (Supplied by tutor)
University Library
The Library,
University of Sussex,
Brighton
BN1 9QL
Phone: 01273 678163
[email protected]
3
SUMMER Session 1