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AP2A37-Practical Nature Conservation

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: Dr SR Mortimer
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: s.r.mortimer@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
This module aims to provide an understanding of the basic principles of nature conservation and the role of management and management planning for conservation in the countryside. In addition, the students will gain practical experience of habitat protection and restoration. The module will develop awareness and understanding of factors and influences that need to be taken into account in management for conservation and develop the ability to write management plans.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

  • Explain the basic principles of, and motivations for, nature conservation
  • Explain how habitats are protected, and describe the principal sources of legal and fiscal support for habitat protection in the UK
  • Explain theories of succesion and fragmentation and their relevance to habitat management
  • Describe at least one major habitat and its management and restoration
  • Describe the process of management planning
  • Write a management plan for specific features on a nature reserve

    Additional outcomes:

    Outline content:
    This module is designed to develop an understanding of the principles and practice of habitat conservation.
    The Lecture Content covers:

  • Principles of nature conservation
  • Ecological science and its application to habitat management
  • Habitat protection in the UK, and its legal and fiscal support
  • Farming and conservation - Agri-Environment Schemes
  • Planning for habitat management
  • Habitat restoration
    The Practical Content covers:
  • Study visit to a local nature reserve, followed by preparation and presentation of a management plan
  • Study visit to a local habitat restoration project

    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    The module will include lectures, a project on developing a management plan for a conservation site / nature reserve, and a study visit to a restoration project.

    Contact hours:

      Autumn Spring Summer
    Lectures 12
    Tutorials/seminars   4   
    Practicals   12   
    Other contact (eg study visits)      
    Total hours   28   
    Number of essays or assignments   2   
    Other (eg major seminar paper)      

    Assessment:
    Coursework
    In groups, students will develop a management plan for a feature of a local nature reserve. Assessment will be based on a written report (75%) and an oral presentation (25%)
    Relative percentage of coursework: 50%
    Penalties for late submission
    Standard University rule applies: 10% marks deducted for work submitted up to one week late. Work submitted more than one week late will be awarded a zero mark.
    Examinations
    A one hour examination, answer one question from four choices.
    Relative percentage of examination: 50%
    Requirements for a pass
    A mark of 40% overall.
    Reassessment arrangements
    Re-examination in August/September only.

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