BENA2042 Field inventory of biota (4 cr)

The course introduces to the questioning, planning, implementation and reporting of field surveys and samplings. The main sampling methods of organisms and the use of geographic information in inventories are learned during the course. Identification of plants and vertebrate and invertebrate animals are practised. Before the field work, ecological population and community data collections on different organism groups are planned. During the field part of the course, the use of appropriate sampling methods are trained (tree measurements, vegetation analyses, invertebrate samplings and vertebrate inventory methods, taking into account both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems). The samples are identified to the required taxonomic level and the results are reported both orally and in writing.

After completing the course, the student will be able to

- plan under supervision a nature inventory project with different phases based on the inventory needs.

- starting from the inventory question, plan what and how to inventory reliably and reproducibly, and assess the reliability of the inventory data.

- list the main sampling methods and associated uncertainties.

- carry out the main forest and vegetation surveys and sampling of different animal groups.

- identify and name native plant and invertebrate species and invertebrate groups.

- document, record and reliably process the data collected in the inventory.

- analyse and report simple inventory data, both orally and in writing.

BENP1011 and BENA2031.

Course material is shared on Moodle.