Nature Conservation

University of Reading

Course Description

  • Course Name

    Nature Conservation

  • Host University

    University of Reading

  • Location

    Reading, England

  • Area of Study

    Environmental Studies, Environmental Sustainability

  • Language Level

    Taught In English

  • Course Level Recommendations

    Upper

    ISA offers course level recommendations in an effort to facilitate the determination of course levels by credential evaluators.We advice each institution to have their own credentials evaluator make the final decision regrading course levels.

    Hours & Credits

  • ECTS Credits

    5
  • Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
    3
  • Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
    4

  • Overview

    Module Provider: Agriculture
    Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
    Level:5
    Terms in which taught: Spring term module
    Pre-requisites:
    Non-modular pre-requisites:
    Co-requisites:
    Modules excluded:
    Module version for: 2016/7
    Summary module description:
    Aims:
    This module aims to provide an understanding of the principles and practice of nature conservation, from the underlying ecological principles, through to the setting of priorities and the identification of appropriate management strategies. 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. In addition, the students will gain practical experience of habitat protection and restoration.
    Assessable learning outcomes:
    By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:
    - Describe the reasons for biodiversity loss and the principle motivations for nature conservation
    - Describe the process of conservation planning, including assessment of biodiversity, setting priorities, monitoring and diagnosis
    - Describe the process of management planning
    - Write a management plan for specific features on a nature reserve
    - Describe at least one major habitat and its management and restoration
    - Understand the approaches to species conservation and the importance of conservation genetic diversity
    - Explain theories of succession and competitive exclusion and their relevance to habitat management
    - Understand the concepts of island biogeography and metapopulation dynamics and their relevance to landscape-level approaches to conservation
    - Explain how habitats are protected, and describe the principal sources of legal and fiscal support for habitat protection in the UK
    - Understand the roles of the various organisations involved in nature conservation in the UK
    Additional outcomes:
    Outline content:
    This module is designed to develop an understanding of the principles and practice of habitat conservation.
    The Lecture Content covers:
    - Motivations and rationale for nature conservation
    - Assessment of biodiversity and setting priorities for conservation
    - Monitoring and diagnosis of factors affecting species of conservation concern
    - Management planning for sites of conservation importance
    - Species-focussed approaches to conservation and role of genetic diversity
    - Ecological science and its application to habitat management
    - Landscape-level considerations, habitat restoration and creation
    - Habitat protection in the UK, and its legal and fiscal support
    - Role of organisations involved in nature conservation
    The Practical Content covers:
    - Group exercise on applying criteria for conservation site selection using ecological data
    - Study visit to a local nature reserve, followed by preparation and presentation of a management plan
    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
    The module will include lectures, guest speakers, an exercise on setting conservation priorities, a project on developing a management plan for a conservation site / nature reserve, and a study visit to a restoration project.
    Contact Hours
    Spring
    Lectures 16
    Practicals classes and workshops 2
    External Visits 4
    Guided Independent Study 78
    Total Hours for module 100
    Summative Assessment Methods:
    Method- Percentage
    Written Exam 50
    Written Assignment including essay 40
    Oral Assessment and presentation 10
    Requirements for a pass:
    A mark of 40% overall.

Course Disclaimer

Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Some courses may require additional fees.

Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits are converted to semester credits/quarter units differently among U.S. universities. Students should confirm the conversion scale used at their home university when determining credit transfer.

Please reference fall and spring course lists as not all courses are taught during both semesters.

Please note that some courses with locals have recommended prerequisite courses. It is the student's responsibility to consult any recommended prerequisites prior to enrolling in their course.

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