Module Information

Module Identifier
BRM7120
Module Title
Management in Practice: Coastal Estuarine and Wetlands
Academic Year
2016/2017
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Field Trip 7 x 9 Hour Field Trips
Lecture 3 x 2 Hour Lectures
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Project report  (up to 9,000 words)  100%
Supplementary Assessment Students must take elements of the assessment that are equivalent to those that led to the failure of the module  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Recognise a range of management issues in temperate aquatic ecosystems

2. Evaluate current management practices in aquatic habitats and critically evaluate their effectiveness

3. Using information from previous investigations, formulate management plans to resolve potential conservation issues

4. Conduct literature surveys using library, IT and database sources

Brief description

The module will introduce students to the current issues facing various Welsh aquatic habitats and those of the Milford Haven waterway (Pembrokeshire mSAC). It will involve meeting professionals, critically evaluating current management plans and formulating new plans to resolve forthcoming industrial projects etc.

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the issues involved in the sustainable management of coastal, estuarine and wetland ecosystems.

Content

This week long residential field course (based at the Dale Fort Field Studies Centre, Pembrokeshire) will introduce students to the management of temperate coastal, estuarine and wetland ecosystems through the development of existing skills applied in a management context. The course will comprise of field visits to a range of freshwater and marine areas including the Millennium Wetlands in Llanelli (WWT reserve), Teifi marshes (WTSWW), and both industrial and conversation areas within the catchment of the Milford Haven waterway and the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC.
Emphasis will be placed on management strategies (e.g. stakeholder concepts and no-take zones). Students will learn to consider the effectiveness of monitoring strategies in the light of current European legislation. The integrated nature of different ecosystems will be stressed throughout as will multiple demands by a range of user groups.
The coursework will encourage students to apply skills developed in previous modules to evaluate current and formulate new management plans. Throughout the course attention will be drawn to the multiple demands placed on different aquatic ecosystems by different conservation and recreational groups, leading to the development of complex regional, national and global management plans. Students will have the opportunity to meet relevant consultants, industrial contacts and staff from conservation agencies to foster an understanding of the importance of liaison between such groups in the planning of new developments as well as the monitoring of current developments e.g. the petrochemical/power industry in Milford Haven.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Communication The field trip and workshops require the students to listen and communicate verbally. Development of scientific terminology, English, punctuation and grammar will be assessed in the project report.
Improving own Learning and Performance Outside the formal contact hours there is an expectation that materials for the report will be researched, time is managed effectively and that deadlines are met.
Information Technology Students expected to search for sources of information and produce the reports using appropriate software.
Personal Development and Career planning Students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and key skills relevant to managing aquatic habitats.
Problem solving For the assessment the students will be expected to identifying conservation issues and formulate effective management plans.
Research skills Assessment requires reference to library, web and online sources.
Subject Specific Skills Students will learn to evaluate and interpret biological and ecological information for management purposes.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7