Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 40 hours (2 x 2 hours per week) |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 2 x 2 hour seminarsc |
| Other | 1 x 6 hour visit |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay. | 40% |
| Semester Exam | 3 Hours | 60% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 40% | |
| Supplementary Exam | 3 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 60% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify patterns and use of biodiversity.
2. Explain the causes of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and evaluate their implications.
3 Critically discuss the approaches to valuing biodiversity and ecosystem services.
4. Identify and critically evaluate conservation policies at the local, national and global level.
Brief description
The module considers the nature and extent of biodiversity from the level of genetic diversity to biomes. Methods of measuring and monitoring change in biodiversity at different levels are introduced. Rates of biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and the ecological implications in conjunction with factors creating change are discussed. Approaches to determining the use and values of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services are outlined entering into the fields of political ecology, conservation ethics and religion, and ecological economics. 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.
Content
Measuring biodiversity and monitoring change.
Loss of biodiversity and ecosystem change.
Implications of biodiversity loss.
Valuing the benefits of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment(MEA) and The Economics of
Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB).
Role of indigenous peoples in biodiversity conservation.
Commercial use of biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
Community involvement in biodiversity conservation-case studies.
Global biodiversity policies – Rio and Johannesburg.
Predicting future trends in biodiversity.
Options and prospects of reducing biodiversity loss.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | |
| Communication | Read in different contexts and for different purposes. Write for different purposes and audiences. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | |
| Information Technology | Present information and data. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | |
| Problem solving | Identify factors which might influence potential solutions. Evaluate advantages and disadvantages of potential solutions. |
| Research skills | Produce academically appropriate reports. |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6