2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE2690 Managing Biodiversity

10 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Claire Quinn
Email: c.h.quinn@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Pre-requisite qualifications

This module assumes a basic knowledge of ecology (AS-level Biology or equivalent)

Module replaces

SOEE2401 People and Plants

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Biodiversity is the variation of life on earth. In this module we will explore how the term ‘biodiversity’ came about, what it means and why it’s important. We will explore theories and methods from population ecology and apply them to biodiversity measurement and monitoring. We will also examine the major contemporary threats to biodiversity, the consequences of biodiversity loss and the steps being taken from international to local scales to halt the losses and manage biodiversity sustainably into the future. Particular reference is made to the role of both political and scientific drivers. You will be expected to draw on the biological and social sciences to develop your understanding of biodiversity management and apply your knowledge to the development of a management plan for a chosen case study.

Objectives

1. To understand the concept of biodiversity and its importance to people
2. To apply theories and methods from population ecology to demonstrate how biodiversity is measured and monitored
3. To identify the key challenges to biodiversity and potential consequences of biodiversity loss
4. To explore how agreements, policy and legislation around biodiversity interact from international to local scales
5. To understand and evaluate the role of management plans in biodiversity conservation
6. To synthesise and apply knowledge in the development of a management plan for one or more case study sites

Learning outcomes
By the end of this module students will be better able to:
1. Describe the concept of biodiversity and its importance to people
2. Apply theories and methods from population ecology to measuring and monitoring biodiversity
3. Assess the key challenges to biodiversity and the potential consequences of biodiversity loss
4. Critically evaluate the interaction of agreements, policy and legislation on biodiversity at international to local scale
5. Understand and evaluate the process of developing management plans and their role in managing biodiversity
6. Develop a management plan for a case study area

Skills outcomes
• Knowledge in ecology, environmental management, politics and policy will be developed
• Critical thinking
• Development of a management plan

Syllabus

1. Introduction to biodiversity
2. The importance of biodiversity to humans
3. Theories and methods in population ecology and their application for the measurement and monitoring of biodiversity
4. The current challenges to biodiversity and potential consequences
5. International drivers of biodiversity management
6. Management of biodiversity at national and local scales
7. The importance of management plans
8. The process of management plan development
9. Case studies of biodiversity management (e.g. Rothwell Country Park/University of Leeds campus biodiversity initiative)

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Fieldwork	1	2.00	2.00
Fieldwork	1	5.00	5.00
Lecture	9	1.00	9.00
Tutorial	1	2.00	2.00
Private study hours			82.00
Total Contact hours			18.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

16 hours: background reading for lectures (8 x 2 hours)
4 hours: background reading for fieldwork (2x2 hours per trip)
46 hours: preparation and completion of management plan
16 hours preparation and completion of poster

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Monitoring of student progress will be carried out through attendance at and contribution to lectures and the subsequent written assignments: management plan (summative assessment), and poster (summative assessment). Students will also be able to get feedback from the module manager after lectures and during office hours.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2000 word management plan	75.00
Poster Presentation	Group poster (max 1000 words)	25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 10/04/2015

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