Semester Two, 20 points
Lectures: Friday: 10am – 11.50am
Course Lecturer: Dr Ralf Ohlemüller – ralf.ohlemuller@otago.ac.nz
Biogeography is the science that investigates the geography of life. The spatial patterns of living organisms in the physical environment we observe today are a snapshot of continuously changing species distributions. Individuals, populations, species, communities and ecosystems respond to changes in the abiotic and biotic environment at varying levels of complexity. Insights into how these responses happen at different spatial and temporal scales helps to understand the distribution of life on Earth. This in turn helps to plan for the protection of the biota under changing environmental conditions.
The main activity during this paper will be seminars and tutorials (2 hours per week). These will take three main forms: lecture-style presentations followed by discussions; small-group reading and discussions followed by whole-class discussions; workshop-style sessions to discuss practical research issues.
Details
Approaches to vegetation analysis; past and present vegetation patterns; plant strategies for survival in stressful environments; anthropogenic vegetation.
| Paper title | Biogeography |
|---|---|
| Paper code | GEOG459 |
| Subject | Geography |
| EFTS | 0.1667 |
| Points | 20 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2023 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,409.28 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Eligibility
This paper is available to students at or above the 400 (i.e. graduate) level.
Please contact Dr Ralf Ohlemuller for information about the recommended background for this paper.
- Contact
- geography@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View further information about GEOG 459
- Teaching staff
Course Co-ordinator: Dr Ralf Ohlemüller
- Paper Structure
The main activity during this paper will be seminars and tutorials (two hours per week). These will take three main forms:
- Lecture-style presentations followed by discussions
- Small-group reading and discussions followed by whole-class discussions
- Workshop-style sessions to discuss practical research issue
This paper is 100% internally assessed.
- Teaching Arrangements
One 2-hour lecture per week.
- Textbooks
- Throughout the paper, relevant reading from the primary literature will be pointed
out to you, and you are also asked to perform your own literature searches and reviews.
In addition, the following text books provide useful general information on many of
the issues and topics discussed in this paper:
Cox, C.B. & Moore, P.D. (2008) Biogeography - An Ecological and Evolutionary Approach. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK.
Ladle, R.J. & Whittaker, R.J. (2011) Conservation Biogeography. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford. UK.
Lomolino, M.V., Riddle, B.R., Whittaker, R.J. & Brown, J.H. (2010) Biogeography. 4th edition. Sinauer, USA. - Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Communication, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will have:
- An advanced understanding of the main theories underlying biogeographical research
- Gained insights into processes shaping biogeographical patterns at a range of spatial and temporal scales
- Conducted biogeographical research on a topic relevant to conservation and environmental planning
- Researched and communicated theoretical and applied aspects of ecology and biogeography relevant to a wide range of environmental stakeholders
