BIS-10306 Biodiversity of The Netherlands

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lecture11
Practical62
Field practical39
Independent study0
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. RHMJ Lemmens
Lecturer(s)N Groendijk-Wilders
dr. ir. RHMJ Lemmens
prof. dr. ME Schranz
dr. NE Fatouros
dr. S Simon
dr. ir. CW Quist
Examiner(s)prof. dr. ME Schranz

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

Plant and Animal Morphology.

Contents:

Biodiversity of the Netherlands provides an introduction to the plants and animals in the Netherlands, while focusing on the importance of biodiversity information and practical applications of this knowledge. The course consists of a botanical and zoological part of two weeks each. Students will learn how to identify higher plants and arthropods using diagnostic keys. Students will also be exposed to the diversity of mammals, birds and amphibians. They will also be expected to recognize a limited number of important taxa on sight. The identification of organisms will take place both during practicals and field excursions. During the excursions, students will learn and utilize methods to collect specimens. To facilitate an understanding of biodiversity, assignments will be carried out both during practicals and field excursions. The field assignments will focus on making assessments and comparisons of plants and animals in certain areas and habitats. Students will gain knowledge about (woody) plant and arthropod morphology, nomenclature, classification, phylogenetic relationships, habitats, flora districts and the applicability of all of these to ecological studies.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- examine biodiversity by identifying vascular plants and major groups of arthropods in the Netherlands, using identification keys and other tools
- recognize a limited number of important plant families, common and / or indicative plant species (with special attention to woody plants) and major groups of arthropods
- explain the principles of nomenclature and classification, and the phylogenetic relationships among vascular plants and animal groups
- describe key biological and evolutionary processes in arthropod evolution in relation to phylogenetic relationships
- interpret the relationships of plants and animals with their habitats and in relation to different types of forest and nature conservation management.

Activities:

- attend the lectures;
- identify plants and arthropods during the practicals;
- perform individual assignments during the practicals;
- collect, study and identify plants and arthropods during the field excursions;
- perform group assignments during the field excursions and practicals.
All activities are mandatory.

Examination:

Separate tests for Zoological and Botanical part (50% each).
Zoological part:
- Recognition and identification test of a number of arthropods (10%)
- Written exam, open questions (20%)
- Group assignment, including presentation (20%)
Botanical part:
- Recognition and identification test of a number of higher plants (25%)
- Written exam, open questions (15%)
- Group assignment (10%).

Literature:

Flora:
- Handleiding Onderdeel Flora;
- Heukels'Flora van Nederland (23rd edition);
Fauna:
- Handleiding Onderdeel Fauna;
- Optional, but recommended: Tirion's Nieuwe Insectengids or another guide with many illustrations.
The manuals will be sold to students at the start of the course.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BBIBiologyBSc6WD
BBNForest and Nature ConservationBSc6WD