NEU-EMT 302 Ecology and Biodiversity (3 units; Elective; LH = 45)
Senate-approved Relevance
The training of students with a holistic understanding of the relationship between ecology and biodiversity will be of great benefit. Particularly against the backdrop of the growing challenges posed by global warming and climate change. With a comprehensive knowledge of relationships between living organisms and their environment, graduates of Pen Resource University course on Ecology and Biodiversity will possess the requisite skills needed to break ground and proffer solutions to current and future environmental challenges posed by human activities.
Overview
The course shall discuss the concepts and definitions of Ecology and its relevance. The five levels of ecology: the individual organism, population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere; as well as the importance of ecosystem functions in EIA will also be discussed. It will also cover Biodiversity: types of biodiversity, and human impact on biodiversity. It will treat vegetation, terrestrial and aquatic flora (identification of types and characteristics of local species); impact on endangered species (trees and canopy, migratory birds and different groups of species); Land and aquatic fauna (wildlife species and their characteristics); indicator and invasive species; fragile areas (identification and characteristics); flood plains and coastal areas.
Objectives
The objective of the Ecology and Biodiversity (EB) course will include among others:
i To provide an introductory overview of the basic concepts and theories of EB.
ii To provide comprehensive insight on the relationship between ecology and biodiversity as well as the impact of biotic and abiotic factors on the two concepts.
iii To identify and highlight the national laws, regulations, and standards for EB protection and conversation in the country
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, participants will be able to:
i Create awareness of the values and importance of EB
ii Obtain up-to-date information and communicate on related EB issues.
iii Guide communities, governments, and businesses.
iv Identify five (5) appropriate mitigation measures to address negative biodiversity impact.
v Identify at least five (5) biodiversity issues associated with each phase of the EIA project.
vi Explain laws and regulations related to issues identified above and/or appropriate for the geographical region.
Describe the existing environment in terms of the biodiversity issues.- Teacher: Abubakar Abdullahi