Aims

The Biodiversity Science and Policy module has three key objectives:

(1) Introduce the students to a selected set of methods and approaches that can be used to guide policy and
decision-making on biodiversity conservation
(2) Highlight a set of key challenges - from local to global scales - for biodiversity conservation
(3) Introduce relevant policies targeted at conserving biodiversity, especially the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity at Biodiversity CoP15 in December 2022.

This is a research and policy-led module that draws on the research and policy experience of staff working at SNES on core areas of biodiversity science: modelling, data and evidence collection and policy and spans social and natural science.

Outline Of Syllabus

The planet’s biodiversity, comprising individuals, species, habitats and ecosystems, is threatened. The main threats are human-driven and include land- and sea-use change, overexploitation, invasive species and pollution. Yet despite large-scale efforts to ensure biodiversity conservation, we have witnessed population extinctions, massive deforestation and fragmentation of natural habitats in recent decades. Conservation tries to deal with the challenge of maintaining biodiversity and the function it provides in the face of social and economic growth in industrialized and developing countries.

This module will zoom into key aspects of modern conservation science, drawing on the research experience of staff in the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. The module is delivered through lectures, guided self-directed learning and workshops, that will:
(1) Highlight a set of key challenges - from local to global scales - for biodiversity conservation,
(2) Introduce selected relevant policies targeted at conserving biodiversity, and
(3) Introduce the students to a selected set of approaches and methods that can be used to inform policy and
decision-making on biodiversity conservation.

The module will provide students with the opportunity to critically evaluate the evidence and policies that exist to aid biodiversity conservation. Students will be able to engage with a set of research and policy challenges in the field led by research interests of the staff teaching on the module. Possible topics include: global species conservation and IUCN Red List assessments, area-based conservation and human:wildlife interactions, and engaging communities and other stakeholders in conservation decision-making.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Teaching comprises lectures and facilitated workshops supported by directed reading and guided independent study and reflection. Lectures will be used to introduce current knowledge and approaches to some of the major topics in biodiversity conservation that will be covered in the module. These contact sessions will be supported by directed reading of the significant literature to which students will be pointed. Workshops will provide the opportunity for students to develop arguments about applying scientific knowledge. Each student will be able to attend two of four workshops.

As this area of science is very fast moving and the link between concepts, fieldwork and conservation practice is very dynamic, lectures will concentrate on presenting a selected set of topics, drawing on recent research implemented by staff at the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences. This will be supported by reference to a range of challenging analyses and perspectives from the literature and students will be guided towards this further reading. As there will be a significant body of conceptually diverse literature for students to explore, it is important that they have adequate time to comprehend the material within the context presented during lectures, and to reflect on it (including revision time). Taken together this will provide a sound platform from which students can develop their own understanding of science and how it relates to biodiversity science and policy.

Workshops will help students analyse information, and then frame and articulate arguments in different contexts.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

There is one in-course assessment (70%) and one exam (30%), and these are aligned with the intended learning outcomes and the taught material. The assessment will require scrutiny and understanding of information and diverse perspectives on a global conservation issue, and will assess knowledge, logical thought and objective analysis. Students will benefit from spending time reading primary literature and preparing for interactive learning events.

For the assessment, students will work in small groups on an issue that is topical in biodiversity conservation and for which there is a range of perspectives. Students will have input in the selection of topics to be explored by each group. For each topic, students will form small groups that will present differing views, and then question each other about their understanding and perspectives. Arguments will be developed during workshops, student-led sessions, and drop-in sessions.

The exam will test for knowledge and understanding of important issues and concepts in biodiversity conservation, asking for short descriptions or definitions of issues and concepts covered during the module.

Together, the assessment and exam require application of skills developed during the workshops and the associated independent study and the knowledge provided in the lectures and gathered in directed reading.