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Conservation Science

Module description

Conservation biology has evolved over the last half-century from a “crisis discipline” to a more interdisciplinary science to protect nature that pursues strategies to jointly maximise benefits to biodiversity and to people. For efforts to be successful, conservation scientists must take a more holistic approach to their work, applying principles from ecology, population genetics and other natural and social sciences. This module will equip students with the ability to do this by exploring the scientific foundations of biodiversity conservation, while highlighting more revolutionary evidence-based strategies to better connect its practice with the needs and priorities of a growing human population. By engaging with this module, through classroom, field and laboratory teaching, students will gain a greater appreciation how conservation happens in the real world and what conservation careers are available, which will set them ahead of their peers.  

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is driven by the global need to describe, value and prioritise biodiversity under threat and to understand the fundamental principles underpinning conservation strategies from protection, through to restoration and the central role that humans play. It will build on the principles introduced in the first year Ecology and Conservation module (BIO1434) and take them further by employing an interdisciplinary approach. In Term 1, we will consider what is biodiversity, where it is found and why we as humans need it. We will use case studies from academics at the forefront gathering data that allows evidence-based conservation actions to be decided upon and implemented on the ground. We will study drivers of decline including climate change, invasive species and exploitation of land use change. From this we will gain insight into how the study of biodiversity is vital to inform evidence-based conservation decisions. This will include extending your knowledge of molecular genetic techniques leant in 1st year and consider how they can be used in conservation science. In Term 2, we consider in more detail how we record and monitor biodiversity with a focus on practical sampling approaches that academics and their colleagues in the field are currently using, including technological advances such as AI and remote sensing. Finally, we then consider conservation approaches and how we prioritise our conservation actions, with case studies that include the designation and implementation of protected areas, habitat restoration, sustainable use, ex-situ techniques and biodiversity net gain. We take an interdisciplinary approach that also considers economics, psychology, politics and the social sciences.

As well as providing an in-depth knowledge of why and how we conserve biodiversity, this module will enhance employability by providing training in the measurement and analysis of biodiversity, statistical methods, molecular techniques (including practical techniques), and cutting-edge interdisciplinary critical thinking. The research presented and training provided are at the interface between current academic research, scientific monitoring and practical conservation work carried out by government organisations and NGOs across the world, while also considering the role that people and societies play. This module will provide opportunities to develop transferrable skills such as data analysis, scientific writing, critical thinking, time management and teamwork, as well as the ability to present ideas effectively in multiple formats (written, visually and verbally through a workshop and assessments).

The information and experience provided in the module will prepare you for one of the many different highly rewarding avenues available for a career in conservation from collecting data on the ground and carrying out the research to help make evidence-based decisions, through to action planning and policy making, as well as practical restorative actions.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Explain the processes that shape local, national and global patterns of biodiversity and how we record these and monitor change, including through genetic approaches.
• 2. Understand the benefits that we derive from biodiversity, its major threats and the mechanisms by which they drive loss, as well as the implications that this has for ecosystem functioning and human societies.
• 3. Understand why and how conservation strategies are developed and implemented, including the need for evidence-based decision making, as well as why and how we need to monitor their effectiveness.
• 4. With some guidance, debate the relative merits of different strategies in the maintenance of biodiversity, the conservation of biological systems, and of restorative actions, taking into consideration the human dimension too.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Describe essential facts and theory across a sub-discipline of bioscience
• 6. Identify critical questions from the literature and synthesise research-informed examples into written work.
• 7. Identify and implement, with some guidance, appropriate methodologies and theories for addressing a specific research problem in biosciences.
• 8. With guidance, deploy established techniques of analysis, practical investigation, and enquiry within biosciences
• 9. Describe and begin to evaluate approaches to our understanding of biosciences with reference to primary literature, reviews and research articles.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 10. Develop, with guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with valid conclusions.
• 11. Communicate ideas, principles and theories using a variety of formats in a manner appropriate to the intended audience.
• 12. Evaluate own strengths and weaknesses in relation to professional and practical skills identified by others.
• 13. Collect and interpret appropriate data and complete research-like tasks, drawing on a range of sources, with limited guidance.
• 14. Work in a small team and deal proficiently with the issues that teamwork requires (i.e. communication, motivation, decision-making, awareness, responsibility, and management skills, including setting and working to deadlines).

Syllabus plan

The module will span two semesters, allowing us to explore 4 key themes in depth and through the use of case studies. These themes are: 1. Why the world needs biodiversity and where it is found; 2. Drivers of decline and threats to biodiversity; 3. Recording and monitoring of biodiversity; 4. Conservation and approaches.

Contact time will be spread between face-to-face lectures and discussion sessions, from academics in the CEC (and other departments) who are all established in the field of conservation and have active on-going research, as well as external speakers who are working at the forefront of practical conservation. Practicals will demonstrate techniques, put the theory into practice, and allow discussion and debate.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in that assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to complete a further assessment that will count for 100% of the module mark and be capped at the pass mark.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Gaston & Spicer (2004), Biodiversity: An Introduction
• Kareiva & Marvier (2011), Conservation Science: Balancing the needs of people and nature
• Pullin (2002), Conservation Biology
• Sutherland (2000), The Conservation Handbook: Research, Management, and Policy

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE

Key words search

Conservation, biodiversity, ecology, monitoring, habitat restoration, protected areas, ecosystem functioning, action plans, social science