Run by School of Natural Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Mark Rayment

This module gives students the opportunity to see the practical application of natural resource management principles that are discussed in earlier parts of the programme. During visits to areas which are managed for a range of objectives, they will meet and discuss with different stakeholders and collect information relevant to a specific research topic. The assessment develops students' understanding of: (1) the similarities and differences between current forestry policies in England, Scotland and Wales; (2) the impact of forest policy on state, private-sector and community forest management.

Overall, the aims of this module are:

• To visit and observe a range of tree-based land use systems and management practices.

• To meet stakeholders to understand their dependency on the forest resource.

• To introduce the key ecological, socio-economic and political influences on the management of natural resources by different groups of people in particular environmental contexts, and to participate in group discussions about these.

• To develop a critical and analytical attitude to the natural and managed environment.

• To gain experience with project and hypothesis design and execution.

• To develop skills in data interpretation and analyses.

By the end of the module, you should be able to:

• Identify and discuss the key ecological, socio-economic and political influences on the management of forest resources by different groups of people in the region.

• Apply principles, theories and frameworks to locally-specific conditions.

• Critically judge the usefulness of methods and the reliability of collected data as well as the significance of obtained results.

• Communicate research findings through oral or written means.

• Argue cogently and think critically within the parameters of a particular academic discipline

• Demonstrate the values of scholarship: inquiry, reflection, integrity, open mindedness, evidence-based thinking and collegiality

good

The report gives a comprehensive account of a topic that is discussed during the field trip, including considerable quantitative information. The report shows evidence of ability to collate and appraise information from a variety of sources; all of the material included is relevant and most of the important literature sources are included. The link between the principles and theory described in the report to the practice(s) seen during the trip is discussed. The report is logically structured and well written, with only minor typographical errors and very few mistakes in the referencing

threshold

The report gives a factually correct account of a topic that is discussed during the field trip, including some quantitative information. The report shows evidence of ability to collate information from a variety of sources; the majority of the material included is relevant although some relevant literature sources are not included. An attempt has been made to link the principles and theory described in the report to the practice(s) seen during the trip. The report is logically structured, the majority of the writing is clear, and referencing uses a standard system.

excellent

The report gives a comprehensive and critical account of a topic that is discussed during the field trip, including considerable quantitative information. The report shows evidence of ability to collate and critically appraise information from a variety of sources; all of the material included is relevant and all the important literature sources are included. The link between the principles and theory described in the report to the practice(s) seen during the trip is fully and thoughtfully discussed. The report is logically structured and well written, with only minor typographical errors and no mistakes in the referencing.

1. To develop a critical and analytical attitude to the natural and managed environment.

2. Accurately apply principles, theories and frameworks to locally-specific conditions.

3. Identify and discuss the key ecological, socio-economic and political influences on the management of forest resources by different groups of people in the region.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
REPORT	Site Visits Report		25
CASE STUDY	Future Changes		50
COURSEWORK	Forest Strategies Overview		25

		Hours
Private study		160
External visit	For many students this module is the highlight of the programme. As a group we will spend some time away from Bangor and you, as an individual, will conduct a piece of work on a common theme. For 2016, the theme will be: “The Resilient Landscape” Some of our time will be spend on visits directly related to the theme, some of the time will not. Leaving Bangor on Monday morning, our tour will take us through northern England to Scotland, and back by Friday early evening. The week before the tour is free to allow you time (should you wish) to consider your topic, and do background literature research if necessary. The weeks following the tour will allow you sufficient time to complete your assessment before starting on the next module (part time students in year 1) or starting full time on your dissertation project.	40

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• 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
• 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
• Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

• 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
• Recognize and apply appropriate theories and concepts from a range of disciplines.
• Consider issues from a range of interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Apply subject knowledge to the understanding and addressing of problems.
• Collect, analyse and interpret primary and/or secondary data using appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative techniques.
• Demonstrate awareness of the importance of risk assessment and relevant legislation

Resource implications for students

Students will be responsible for lunches and dinners.

Compulsory in courses:

• D3AO: Certificate Forestry (Distance Learning) year 1 (CERT/FORDL)
• D3AP: Diploma Forestry (Distance Learning) year 1 (DIP/FORDL)
• D4BA: MSc Agroforestry and Food Security year 1 (MSC/AGFS)
• DDAB: MSc Agroforestry year 1 (MSC/AGRO)
• D3AB: MSc Environmental Forestry year 1 (MSC/EFOR)
• D3AQ: MSc Forestry (Distance Learning) year 1 (MSC/FORDL)

Optional in courses:

• D4BB: MSc Agroforest & Food Security (Dist Learn) year 1 (MSC/AGFSDL)