Tropical Ecology and Conservation
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| BIOS3101 | Biosciences | 3 | 10 | Autumn UK |
- Code
- BIOS3101
- School
- Biosciences
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Autumn UK
Summary
This module will introduce students to a range of topics relating to ecology and conservation, with a particular focus on the tropical context. During the course students will:
- Develop their understanding of tropical ecosystems, their complexity, and the threats that they are currently facing, including topics such as the impacts of climate change, land-use change, and exploitation of wildlife.
- Consider a range of possible approaches for conservation and more sustainable management. These will take into account ecological, socio-political, and economic factors, and will include a wide range of strategies such as species-specific interventions, broader habitat management, and policy change.
- Examine case studies detailing real-life examples of conservation problems and solutions, across a variety of tropical contexts.
The module will be assessed through a combination of coursework and examination.
Target Students
This module is intended for Year 3 students on Environmental Science and Environmental Biology degree programmes. It is also available for BSc/MSci Plant Science/Biology / Animal Science / Natural Sciences students.
Classes
- One 2-hour seminar
- One 2-hour seminar
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 9 weeks
Assessment
- 30% Presentation: Assessed group presentation. As well as contributing 30% of the final mark this will also help students to develop ideas and prepare for the exam.
- 70% Exam 1 (2-hour): ExamSys consisting of several shorter written answer questions, and one longer answer (essay-style) question. Questions will draw together ideas from across the course including ideas considered during the formative assessment, all lectures and seminars, extra reading, and the group presentations.
Assessed by end of autumn semester
Educational Aims
To introduce students to a range of ideas related to ecology and conservation, and particularly within a tropical context. As well as exploring ecological ideas, this will include an introduction to important relevant socio-political and economic concepts. The aim is to introduce students to a range of ideas and examples, but also to give them a chance to research additional examples, think how ideas link together, and practice applying ideas to different contexts.Learning Outcomes
1. Students will be able to describe the main threats that ecosystems face in the tropics, and identify a range of conservation options that could help address biodiversity declines.
2. Students will be able to describe the constraints that conservation faces in the tropics, and identify factors that must be considered when designing a conservation strategy.
3. Students will be able to apply their knowledge to a range of different conservation-related questions, delivered in written, presentation, and discussion form.
4. Students will be able to search for, read, and summarise available scientific literature on conservation science topics, and deliver it in both written and discussion form.
5. Students will be able to apply their knowledge and skills to the design of a conservation strategy for a real-world example ecosystem.