The module applies ecological theory to focus on the issues around global and local biodiversity and its management. The module covers major theoretical concepts including conservation theory, the importance of small populations and ‘measuring’ biodiversity. These will be discussed in the context of practical conservation. The concept of conservation and the how prioritisation is undertaken will be introduced and these will be considered within the framework of legislation. We will also explore how public engagement is a key aspect of conservation and how this can be included in conservation plans. The module will use a variety of current issues and case studies from the terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments to illustrate key ecological concepts within the context of conservation.
By the end of this module, the student should be able to:
- Be able to identify and evaluate threats to biodiversity on a global, regional and local scale
- Understand how policy and legislation are used within conservation
- Critically assess how biodiversity is measured for conservation purposes
- Be able to critically assess and choose appropriate management techniques for conservation of habitats and species
- Understand how prioritisation of conservation is undertaken
- Understand how public engagement can be used within conservation strategies and be able to apply this to specific scenarios
- Identify key strategies used to design, protect and manage habitats
- Apply knowledge from conservation theory to practise
- To know how to budget and project manage a conservation management plan
- Integrate and evaluate information acquired through lectures, independent research and site visits to formulate an ecological management plan for a UK or overseas reserve.