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GIS in Conservation Science

Module description

This module aims to provide you with a good working knowledge of the theory and practice underpinning the application of GIS in the fields of conservation and ecology. Throughout the module you will be introduced to, and gain practical experience of using GIS software - employing a range of methods for the acquisition, manipulation, creation, analysis and visualisation of a range of spatial datasets. These practicals will underpin a range of complementary assessments that focus on enhancing your data visualisation, analytical and problem solving skills using GIS software; thereby providing you with a breadth of experience for a career in applied scientific research, industry or as a conservation practitioner.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The ability to use and understand Geographical Information System (GIS) software to create, manage and handle spatial data is a highly sought-after skillset that will enhance your professional skills and employability in the fields of biodiversity conservation and management, and more broadly in the environmental sciences. GIS practical sessions will provide a range of training - from building confidence with installing and interacting with GIS software interfaces, data import and creation, to more complex techniques for manipulating point, line, polygon and raster data that will support more complex spatial analyses, which includes using one of the most widely used decision support tools (Marxan conservation planning software) to identify priority areas for conservation within a real-world context. As part of the module you will develop your data visualisation and analytical experience, and gain experience of producing a high quality consultancy report (and supporting visuals to support your rationale and decision-making process) – all key skills that are essential for working in the conservation sector, and for disseminating information to key stakeholders (e.g. NGOs, policy makers, conservation practitioners and implementing agencies).

Transferable skills include:

• the application of GIS as a means of solving spatial problems (linking theory to practice, responding to novel and unfamiliar problems, data handling);
• time management (managing time effectively);
• experience of presenting and disseminating key findings effectively using multiple formats.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Recognise and critically evaluate the utility of GIS in conservation science and environmental management applications
• 2. Apply critical thinking approaches to best direct the collection and use of spatial data for questions with specific relevance to marine/terrestrial conservation science
• 3. Correctly identify the relevant tools required to conduct scientific (spatial) research in marine/terrestrial ecosystems

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 4. Critically describe current problems and/or new insights in marine/terrestrial conservation science.
• 5. Identify critical questions from the literature and synthesise research-informed examples from the literature into written work
• 6. Describe in detail some techniques applicable to research in conservation and biodiversity and identify and implement, with guidance, appropriate methodologies and theories for addressing specific research problems
• 7. Describe and 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...

• 8. Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate your conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
• 9. Tackle and solve problems independently and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level
• 10. Work independently to advance your knowledge and understanding and develop new skills to a high level
• 11. Reflect effectively on learning experiences and summarise personal achievements
• 12. Effectively communicate and visualise complex ideas, principles and theories fluently using a variety of formats in a manner appropriate to the intended audience

Syllabus plan

Lectures have been designed to provide a brief overview of the application of GIS in conservation science, thereby providing background context for practicals that will cover the following topics:

• Introduction to GIS
• Installing QGIS (free open source software)
• Understanding the QGIS software interface
• Understanding raster and vector data
• Loading, interacting with, and saving spatial data
• Creating, digitising and editing spatial data
• Layer styling
• Data visualisation (creating maps)
• Working with and processing vector and raster data
• Downloading and pre-processing remote sensing data
• Conservation planning
• Application of decision support tools to identify priority areas for conservation.
• Running a conservation planning assessment in QGIS using Marxan
• Field skills – including configuring, and downloading data from a handheld GPS

To aid with learning, this module includes timetabled help sessions (GIS clinics) to ensure additional support is available. Please note, whilst the modules uses examples of the application of GIS in marine conservation science and will be underpinned by marine examples, the skills gained are transferrable to terrestrial systems and species.

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 the 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 at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to redo the original assessment as necessary. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will count for 100% of the final mark and will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• McHaffie, P., Sungsoon, H. & Follett, C (2019) GIS: an introduction to mapping technologies. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. 363p.
• Krygier, J. & Wood, D. (2016) Making maps. A visual guide to map design for GIS. Third edition. The Guildford Press. 293p.
• Wegman, M. & Leutner, B. (2016) Remote sensing and GIS for ecologists. Pelagic Publishing. 333p.
• Borra, S., Rohi, T. & Dey, N. (2019) Satellite Image Analysis: Clustering and Classification. Springer. 110p.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE page: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk
• CLUZ software, user guides and video tutorials: https://anotherbobsmith.wordpress.com/software/
• Marxan software, user guides and key references: https://marxansolutions.org/  
• QGIS tutorials: http://www.qgistutorials.com/en/  (for additional support and guidance)

Key words search

Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial analysis, spatial planning, conservation planning, spatial prioritisation, systematic conservation planning, protected areas, biodiversity management, spatial ecology, decision science, conservation, research