Wildlife Conservation & Biodiversity

Wedi cwblhau'r modiwl dylai'r myfyrwyr fedru:

1. Discuss global patterns of biodiversity at different levels (genetic, species and ecosystem) and the causes and implications of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
2. Identify and critically evaluate conservation policies at the local, national and global level using retained knowledge.
3. Appraise the approaches to in situ and ex situ conservation using retained knowledge of ecological, socio-economic, and legal/policy factors.

The module considers the nature and extent of biodiversity from the level of genetic diversity to ecosystems and how this information can be applied to the conservation of endangered flora and fauna in terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The module is designed to allow the student to critically evaluate the need for species conservation and the information and methods that need to be applied to species conservation, including the concepts of genetic diversity, population genetics, extinction and rarity, population dynamics, species habitat requirements, introduction/reintroduction, metapopulations, invasive species etc. It will also cover the administrative framework and initiatives for conservation internationally, in Europe and the UK. The role of local communities / indigenous peoples and the use of Traditional Knowledge in the conservation of global biodiversity is assessed. International policies, treaties and systems for conserving biodiversity are critically appraised. Predicting future trends in biodiversity and options for reducing loss are discussed.

To provide students with the information needed to apply effective conservation in different contexts.

This will cover patterns and processes of biodiversity at different scales and how biodiversity can be monitored. Subjects to be covered include the importance of conservation, current threats to global biodiversity(habitat destruction/fragmentation/degradation, overexploitation, global climate change, invasive species, international trade in endangered species), valuing biodiversity - Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, methods used to measure biodiversity, general aspects of conservation biology - issues of rarity, extinction, vulnerability, habitat specificity.

The module will describe conservation methods including in situ and ex-situ conservation programmes, introduction and reintroductions, and restoration ecology.
Techniques used in species conservation are introduced with the application of population dynamics and genetics to conservation. Firstly, population dynamics, population structure and metapopulations will be discussed, followed by an in-depth study of genetic diversity, genetic consequences of rarity, inbreeding and the molecular techniques commonly used by conservation geneticists.


International, European and UK species conservation initiatives and obligations are considered, as is the role of community science and local ecological knowledge.

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn cydymffurfio a FfCChC Lefel 6