Semester 6

The Phytosociology module will introduce students to the concept of the nature of plant communities through the research of the structure and flora composition of plant communities and the systematic through the creation of a hierarchical system of classification of plant communities.

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. Vegetation description methods

1. Plant community concept
2. Plant community classification
3. Phytosociological method
4. Apply subjective classification methods in vegetation description 
5. Apply Braun-Blanquet approach
6. Apply computerised methods
7. Use natural and forced classifications of vegetation data
8. Use Characteristics of methods of numerical classification
9. Use hierarchical classification
10. Use non-hierarchical classification
11. Describe vegetation on physiognomic, floristic and plant functional types criteria
12. Design a phytosociology research topic
13. Test plant associations using a chi square (χ2) test.
14. Analyze plant communities using softwares including R, MINITAB, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Multi-Variate Statistical Package MVSP, and TWINSPAN program(Two-Way Indicator Species Analysis)
15. Work independently and in groups with minimal supervision to a set deadline
16. Synthesize genetics and evolution information from bibliographic resources and prepare an oral presentation.
17. Write and present reports from assigned structured activities

The aim of this module is to introduce students to field ecology and the biological systems, rich diversity, and environmental problems in Rwanda as they relate to the content and concepts attained in the classroom. Students will visit four biologically important areas in Rwanda: Akagera National Park, Nyungwe National Park, Volcano National Park, and Lake Kivu. The module combines the field components of four modules in the 3^rd year of the Conservation Biology program: Ecology and Evolution, Animal Systematics, Behaviour and Conservation, Plant Community Ecology & Conservation, and Plant Structure, Function and Systematics.  Students will make observations, practice field sampling techniques, and gather data that will be used in the associated modules. 

Having successfully completed the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

1. the biological components and processes of the natural and human-dominated systems in Rwanda; how biological systems are used by humans in Rwanda
2. the causes of disturbance and alteration of these systems
3. the distribution of species (and their taxonomy), ecosystems, communities, habitats, and protected areas in Rwanda
4. biological, ecological, and environmental problems in Rwanda and how the field of biology can respond to them
5. identify natural and disturbed systems of Rwanda, including identification of potential causes
6. suggest research approaches and management solutions for observed biological or environmental problems or issues
7. discuss the distribution of ecological and biological systems in Rwanda and the socio-economic aspects that affect them
8. develop appropriate methods for observing, identifying, measuring, monitoring, and evaluating biological and ecological systems in the field
9. conduct field research sampling using appropriate techniques and methods
10. analyze quantitative data collected from field observations and prepare a written report of the findings

This module will introduce students to the fascinating world of animal behaviour in all its diversity, including the mechanisms underlying the behaviour and the evolutionary forces that have shaped the behaviors (natural and sexual selection). The module will include lectures, readings, videos, group activities, and discussions, to allow students to engage with the key concepts and topics in animal behaviour and the current research going on in this field. There will be a focus on the kinds of questions animal behaviourists ask and the methods they use to study animal behavior, and the types of data that can be collected to understand why and how animals behave the way they do.

The module aims at documenting facts about plant use and knowing what the people thought about plants. The module will equip students with knowledge and skills in ethnobotanical concepts, principles, methods and practices of ethnobotany. The students will explore the relationships that exist between plants and indigenous cultures from around the world in general and from Rwanda in particular. 

The course is about taxonomy of flowering plants with a special focus on tropical plants in general and local flora of Rwanda in particular. A special emphasis is put on useful plants such as medicinal, aromatic, edible, cosmetic and ornamental plants. The classification adopted is the one developed by Angiosperms Phylogeny Group (APG IV) that recognizes the following clades:

- Archaic Dicots composed of paleoherbs (Amborellales, Nympaheales, Austrobaileyales) and paleotrees (Magnoliids)

- Monocots that are composed of Commliniids and udefined evolved monocots (From Asparagales to Alismatales)

- Eudicots composed of Rosids (Fabids and Malvids) that are less evolved and Asterids (Campanulids and Lamiids) that are the most evolved clades

It is important to note that some Eudicots orders are still unclassified. They are mostly found in the clade of Asterids (Santales, Ericales, Caryophyllales and Cornales)