Module GEOG3947: PEATLAND GEOMORPHOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

Department: Geography

GEOG3947: PEATLAND GEOMORPHOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT

Prerequisites

• Any Level 2 GEOG module

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• The aim of this course is to provide an overview of upland peat geomorphology and landscape change; and discuss current management issues affecting peatlands.

Content

• 1. Introduction – What is peat? Global significance of peatlands
• 2. The terrestrial 'sponge'? - hydrology of peatlands
• 3. The three evils: erosion processes (fluvial, aeolian and frost)
• 4. Slipping away - slope processes and mass movements
• 5. Summing the change - sediment budgets and landscape change
• 6. The carbon question - erosion dynamics and carbon cycling
• 7. The blame game - peatland drainage and burning
• 8. Putting things right - peatland restoration

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of this module students are expected to be able to:
• Understand the key characteristics of peat, peatlands and their geomorphology
• Specify the linkages between peatland geomorphic forms and processes
• Appreciate the importance of peatland geomorphology in controlling carbon cycling
• Recognise current issues affecting upland peatlands and available management strategies

• On successful completion of this module students are expected to be able to:
• Appreciate the range of peatland research methodologies
• Critically assess scientific approaches in to peatland geomorphology
• Understand how the physical characteristics and material properties of peat influence peatland process

• On successful completion of this module students are expected to be able to:
• Order knowledge and be able to relate and synthesise key concepts
• Read critically and make links between lecture-based knowledge and published material (advanced bibliographic skills)
• Relate lecture-based concepts to field / management examples

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• This will be a lecture- based module with a one-day field excursion to the North Pennines to look at contemporary peat erosion and management. This is supplemented by a series of ‘desktop’ (classroom) demonstrations of the physical properties of peat which are incorporated into the lecture programme and an end-of-session small group discussion tutorial.
• Lectures will enable students to gain subject-specific knowledge and understand approaches to studying peatland science.
• Desktop demonstrations allow students to appreciate first-hand the ‘special’ properties of peat.
• The field excursion provides practical experience of methods of peatland restoration and management (partly lead by a representative from the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Peatlands Programme – when available).
• Tutorials provide a discussion forum (review) at the end of the module where students can raise key topics and issues and prepare essay-plan answers. This will prepare students for the summative assessment (exam).
• Formative assessment is primarily provided through the group review tutorials at the end of the module. These tutorials review subject-specific knowledge and provide guidance on structuring exam question to best synthesise key concepts and published material.
• The summative assessment (written exam) will test subject specific knowledge and; the ability of students to critically assess scientific approaches in to peatland geomorphology, synthesise key conceptsand make links between lecture-based knowledge, published material and field / management examples.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

This is provided through question and answer session in lectures; the interactive classroom demonstrations; 'spot' tests; discussion on the one day field excursion and in the small group review tutorials at the end of the module. These tutorials provide an overview of the module material and prepare students for the written examination by evaluating exam question essay plans.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University