This module considers the interactions between terrestrial organisms and their environments – forming ecosystems ranging from simple microbial communities to tropical rainforests. We could even consider Earth as a whole ecosystem. The module introduces ecosystem concepts and develops your understanding of the stability and resilience of ecosystems to disturbances such as disease and pollution. You'll learn how ecosystem function depends on water, energy and nutrient exchanges and gain practical experience with current research techniques, including real-time monitoring and computer modelling. Finally, you’ll gain experience writing professional-style reports on ecological systems.
What you will study
Understanding the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems is the key to explaining how life on Earth has persisted in the past and how it might respond to change in the future. Ecosystem science takes a holistic view of organisms and the environment. The module reflects that view, illustrating the importance of interactions between the elements of ecosystems in determining the properties of the system as a whole.
The module comprises four blocks that take you progressively from basic systems and processes up to the complexity of the global scale. An introductory block defines the term ‘ecosystem’ and presents a range of examples, describing their biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components. The second block addresses the cycling of energy, water, carbon and inorganic nutrients through these systems. You’ll reflect on how these flows control the type and number of organisms inhabiting the system, and how the presence of living organisms affects the cycling of energy and matter. The third block explores ecosystems' stability and resilience to natural and human-induced disturbances such as fire, disease and environmental change. The final block looks at our planet as a whole to investigate the interdependence of its sub-systems.
The module illustrates the four core concepts of definition, cycling, resilience, and interdependence with examples from around the world, using the full range of online media. It emphasises the nature of data obtained in environmental studies with its inherent variability. Data manipulation and statistical interpretation are essential to understanding our environment scientifically. It will introduce you to several statistical techniques, accessed via spreadsheets (including regression), to develop and enhance your professional skills in critically analysing statistical output.
Running through most of the module is a practical activity revolving around the monitoring and analysing data on living trees. This will include basic observations of trees in your locality, and accessing and processing data from trees fitted with various monitoring devices on the OU campus and elsewhere. You’ll pool and jointly analyse data with other students on the module and gain assessment credit for reporting on your experiments.
Another theme of the module is the use of modelling. Predictive modelling of ecosystem response is now an essential tool in ecosystem science. The module illustrates different types of models, exploring their inputs, components and assumptions so you can correctly interpret the output. There are both spreadsheet-based ecological models and more complex Earth-system models that you’ll engage with to explore how different systems respond to external influences.
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements for this module.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
Even though there are no entry requirements, there are some basic mathematics and statistics concepts that you’ll need to study the module successfully:
basics of probability
statistical distributions
hypothesis testing.
You'll also need to be familiar with basic biology concepts:
photosynthesis
respiration.
You’ll need no specific knowledge of modelling.
Are you ready for S397?
Preparatory work
We recommend that you’ve passed one of the following:
Questions in science (S111)
Science: concepts and practice (S112)
Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116).
Plus:
Environmental science (S226) or S206/SXF206.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
End-of-module assessment
We'll assess you through the TMAs and an EMA involving integrated activities at the end of each block.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
course-specific module materials
audio and video content
assessment details and submission section
online tutorial access
access to student forums.
Additionally, the website includes:
alternative format module materials (e.g. Word, PDF)
interactive modelling exercises
practical experiments with real-time ecosystem monitoring systems.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying S397 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Terrestrial ecosystems (S397) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2028.