2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

SOEE2690 Managing Biodiversity

10 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Prof Lindsay C. Stringer/Dr Eleanor Jew
Email: L.Stringer@leeds.ac.uk/E.K.Jew@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

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

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 consider some of the key theories from conservation ecology as they relate to biodiversity management. 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 critically evaluate the role of management planning for biodiversity conservation.

Objectives

1. To understand the concept of biodiversity and its importance to people
2. To understand key theories from conservation ecology in relation to biodiversity management
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 the role of management plans in biodiversity conservation
6. To synthesise and apply knowledge in the critical evaluation of management planning for biodiversity conservation.

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. Understand key theories from conservation ecology in relation to biodiversity management
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 critically evaluate management planning for biodiversity conservation

Skills outcomes
• Knowledge in conservation ecology, environmental management, politics and policy will be developed
• Critical thinking
• Management planning

Syllabus

1. Introduction to biodiversity
2. The importance of biodiversity to humans
3. Theories from conservation ecology as they relate to biodiversity management
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 (from international to local scales)

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 essay
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. Feedback on student work will be available from the poster (summative assessment) and the subsequent written assignment: critical evaluation of management planning (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 evaluation of management planning for biodiversity conservation	75.00
Poster Presentation	Group poster (1000 words)	25.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Re-sits will be assessed by a 2,000 word essay covering all of the learning outcomes.

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 18/09/2017

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