BOT331 – LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY AND PEOPLE COURSE OUTLINE Patterns of biodiversity globally and nationally Landscape systems of SA and majors drivers of vegetation structure, function and floristics Field based methods for collecting floristic & structural/function veg. data for classification & ordination Geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing techniques – the power of modern technology Environmental legislation, integrated environ. mangmt. (IEM), & integrated catchment mangmt. (ICM) An introduction to resource economics Ecotourism, an industry for the future? Community based resource management (CBRM) – is there a place for public participation? “Green” politics – is there a role for a SA Green Party?

MAIN OUTCOMES Students will be able to prepare an environmental impact assessment/report that is based on sound ecological principles Students will have a fundamental appreciation of the role of: 1. the “authority” ecologists 3. stakeholders and 4. clients - in relation to decision making regarding ecological/ environmental development issues Students will be aware of the peer reviewed literature and will be able to read, analysis and present reviews Students will be able to debate relevant topics related to the conservation of biodiversity Students will have participated in a workshop where all views are canvassed and consensus is reached

COURSE STRUCTURE PRACTICAL SKILLS 1.How to collect basic structural/functional and floristic data 2.An introduction to Raunkiaer’s Life Form classification & Dansereau’s Symbolic Representation, & how these classic methods can be modified for contemporary use 3.Will be exposed to a brief overview of vegetation sampling methods to collect frequency, density and cover- abundance plot/quadrat data for floristic and structural/functional vegetation analysis 4.Be aware of the concept of homogeneity/heterogeneity, and species area determination for the selection of optimum sample size for field data collection

LECTURES Week 1 Analysis of patterns of biodiversity. What is a Hot Spot, concepts for measuring biodiversity (α, β, γ, & δ) Weeks 2/3 Intro. to SA landscapes at biome & major vegetation/floristic level. With Cape Floristic Region (CRF) emphasis, and what major environ. drivers determine floristics, & structural/function similarities and differences Week 4Remote Sensing Techniques and the concept of GIS – from aerial photographs to multi-spectral scanning techniques. M&E techniques, environ. policies & resource economics Week 5Preparation of Management Plan (you must select an area & this must be discussed with me BEFORE you can proceed), + preparing for the debate on “Green Politics” Weeks 6/7Ecotourism, CBRM, public participation and “Green Politics’ debate

FIELD WORK SESSIONS 1 An overview of structural/functional attributes of the major plant communities in the CFNR 2 Methods for estimating cover/abundance data 3/4 Vegetation sampling techniques – frequency, density, cover-abundance 5 Determination of optimal sample size. 6 Collection of Mountain Fynbos, Renosterveld and Little Karoo data (weekend of 24/25 September) 7 Collection of Thicket and Forest data 8 Data analysis – Ordination and Classification 9/10 Write-up of practical notes Extra time for preparation of your small reserve Management Plan

ASSESSMENT 1. Practicals A brief & critical review of the first 5 sessions handed in on the Wed. & Mon. following the Mon. & Thurs. sessions (reviews to be a concise, critical appraisal - that MUST be referenced to the primary literature - to follow the guidelines for presentation of papers in the SAJB Following the ordination & classification pracs a critical review of the methodology & results on Mon. 17th October at 11h00 2. Management Plan. This will be finalised and handed in by 10h00 on 25th October 3. Tests The first test will cover work done in Weeks 1 & 2, & will be written in the first hour of the practical session on 29th Sept. The second test on the 17th Oct. at 14h00, & will cover the work done in Weeks 3 & 4

MARKS 1. The brief review of field sessions 1-5 will each be worth 2% of the final mark……………………….…..(Total 10%) 2. The review of ordination/classification is for……….10% 3. Each test will be for 10% ………………………..(Total 20%) 4. Each student will review a Journal article………….…(2%) 5. Participation in the course will be progressively assessed and be worth ………………………………....3% 6. The Debate will be assessed and count for % 7. The Management Plan is part of the Final Assessment (which means the Management Plans will go to the external examiner) and is for………………………...20% 8. The Final Exam will be for …………………… % TOTAL 100%