Population & Community Ecology (C1861)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

Community formation and interactions within populations are fundamental to ecosystem function. They impact how species survive, thrive and become extinct.

On this module, you’ll be introduced to core principles, including:

  • population dynamics
  • predator-prey interactions
  • analyses of different levels of diversity (alpha, beta)
  • trait analyses
  • community assembly rules.

Through lectures, practicals and lab work you’ll develop the knowledge and skills required to understand community and population ecology. You’ll also learn how to apply them in fieldwork.

Using the data sets generated from monitoring on campus, you’ll apply analytical methods learnt on the module. This will include species accumulation curves, rarefaction and trait analyses.

You’ll expand on material introduced in Biodiversity and Ecology. You’ll develop knowledge and skills for employment and advanced study in ecology and conservation, from ecological restoration to the conservation of endangered species.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: