Run by School of Natural Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Emily Bailes

To critically explore the main theoretical and applied aspects of conservation science.

This module presents key concepts that underpin modern conservation science. As such it is highly interdisciplinary; emphasising the interactions between natural and social systems. We start by considering the evidence that we are living in the Anthropocene: a geological epoch where human influence is the dominant influence on the climate and the environment and discuss what this means for those of us interested in biodiversity conservation. We discuss global patterns of biodiversity and threat and the relative importance of the various global threats to biodiversity. We discuss the ever increasing demand for food and how this can be best balanced with conservation. We critically discuss a range of (overlapping) approaches to conservation including protected areas, biodiversity offsetting, market mechanisms (including Payment for Ecosystem Services), and the role of ex situ conservation (focusing on plant conservation). We consider overexploitation and how understanding of population dynamics and social-economic factors can help improve the management of harvested wild species. We also discuss the role of monitoring and impact evaluation in effective conservation. We end, with some optimism: conservation can work.

threshold

ESSAY Threshold: Summarise information given during the module, or available from very basic reading, in a way which answers the question.

PRESENTATIONS Threshold: Produce a clear presentation which makes a reasonable argument, addressing a sesible and appropriate topic.

good

ESSAY Good: Answer the question using appropriate sources in a critical way to structure a coherent argument.

PRESENTATIONS Good: Synthesise and critique a range of suitable sources to produce a clear presentation which makes a reasonable argument, addressing a sesible and appropriate topic.

excellent

ESSAY Excellent: Answer the question using a wide range of sources in a critical way to structure a well-written and coherent argument which shows deep understanding of the complexities involved.

PRESENTATIONS Excellent: Synthesise and critique an extensive range of suitable sources to produce a very clear presentation which makes a reasonable argument. Shows mature and deep understanding of the topic and excellent presentation.

1. Understand the concepts and theories underlying the subject of conservation science.

2. Understand the interdisciplinary nature of conservation science and demonstrate a good awareness of the relevance of both ecological and social sciences to conservation.

3. Understand the importance of taking an evidence-based approach to the management of biodiversity.

4. Understand the value-judgements central to decision making in conservation science.

5. Synthesize and critique sources of evidence to produce a coherent written or verbal argument.

6. Be able to express themselves clearly in semi-formal presentations and debates and in a written essay.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
GROUP PRESENTATION	Group presentation	Purpose of assignment: To encourage you to explore concepts and theories underlying conservation science and the interdisciplinary nature of the subject. To help you to develop an evidence-based approach to the management of biodiversity (synthesizing and critiquing sources of evidence as appropriate) while also recognising that value judgements are important. To develop presentation skills. Give a presenation on a subject related to conservation science using a wide range of sources. The length of talk will be dependent on group size and made clear during a breifing session. Presenations will be marked on content (40%), structure (20%), presenation style (20%) and qualitiy of the slides (20%)	40.00
ESSAY	"Why and how I would conserve the ......"	Purpose of assignment: To encourage you to explore concepts and theories underlying conservation science and the interdisciplinary nature of the subject. To help you to develop an evidence-based approach to the management of biodiversity (synthesizing and critiquing sources of evidence as appropriate) while also recognising that value judgements are important. To develop presentation skills. Write a 2000 word essay (excluding references and figure legends) with the title “Why and how I would conserve the…….” The essay will be marked based on: Structure and logical flow (25%), Content (25%), Quality of the writing (25%), Sources, reference list & style (25%)	60.00

		Hours
Seminar	Students will prepare the seminar topics in advance (in groups) and present to the class	6
Study group	Students will work in groups to prepare for the seminars and the group assessed presentations.	30
External visit	field trips to Cwm Idwal and Treborth botanic garden	7
Tutorial	16 hours are timetabled: students will sign up for slots as they feel is needed	4
Private study		131
Lecture	You will need to watch a short video or two (recorded lecture) before we meet for the live sessions	22

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

• Recognize the moral, ethical and social issues relating to the subject.
• Develop and identify research question(s) and/or hypotheses as the basis for investigation.
• Conduct fieldwork and/or laboratory work competently with awareness of appropriate risk assessment and ethical considerations
• Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Engage in debate and/or discussion with specialists and non-specialists using appropriate language.
• Demonstrate the independence and skills required for continuing professional development

Resource implications for students

Students will need to wear appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear on field trips and take their own lunch for the two field trip days. Students will need to make their own way to Treborth.

Talis Reading list

http://readinglists.bangor.ac.uk/modules/dxx-4016.html

Reading list

https://rl.talis.com/3/bangor/lists/3F41C4CE-72B4-403F-6BBA-2F36A45F9587.html?lang=en

Compulsory in courses:

• D9AN: MSc Conservation and Land Management year 1 (MSC/CLM)
• D9AZ: MSc Conservation and Land Management (TRANSFOR-M exch prog) year 1 (MSC/CLMTFM)
• D5AB: MSc Sustainable Forest and Nature Management year 2 (MSC/SFNM)