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Tropical Forests in a Changing Environment

Key information

  • Module code:

    6SSG3030

  • Level:

    6

  • Semester:

      Spring

  • Credit value:

    15

Module description

The module includes hands-on demonstrations with monitoring equipment, canopy access techniques, biological specimens and hardware models in our experimental laboratory. The coursework requires students to venture deeply into the scientific literature and thus develop good reading, note taking, summary and research skills.

Topics covered will include:

Part I Fundamentals

  • Humid tropical climates.
  • Humid tropical vegetation.
  • Humid tropical animals.
  • Humid tropical landscapes and soils.
  • Humid tropical societies and land use past, present and future

PART II Lowland tropical forests

  • Energy
  • Water and nutrients
  • Forest Architecture and plant physiology
  • Forest ecology and dynamics : the web of life
  • Biological diversity

Part III The Tropical Montane Cloud Forests

  •  Cloud forests and ecosystem services
  • Cloud forests : state of knowledge and strategies for tropical forest conservation

Part IV Tropical forest deforestation and conservation

  • Tropical forests, carbon and climate change.
  • Applying Costing Nature to understand tropical forest conservation trade-offs

Assessment details

PowerPoint slideset (50%)

1200 Word Coursework (50%)

Educational aims & objectives

To develop an awareness of the structure and function of tropical forest ecosystems and to provide an intellectually stimulating understanding of the biophysical, ecological and anthropic processes which characterise these environments.

To develop an awareness of the human impacts on these important systems and the kinds of geographical tools available for monitoring, modelling and mitigation of the worst effects of these impacts.

The module will challenge students to achieve their best work through the use of assignments that bring key elements of the module together and encourage thoughtful engagement with the issues presented.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of the module, students will have an understanding of the nature of tropical rainforests, their structure and their function and should know how to apply appropriate monitoring and modelling techniques to the better management of these systems. Students will have ventured deeply into the scientific literature and thus developed good reading, note taking, summary and research skills.

Teaching pattern

20 hours of combined lecture, demos & practical with some out of class work

Department

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.