Module manager: Dr Alastair Ward
Email: A.Ward@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as an Elective
The module seeks to provide experience and understanding of the management challenges and conservation activities undertaken at a range of different protected sites. It is taught largely on location at a series of nature reserves, SSSIs and other sites of conservation interest in the region, chosen to reflect a wide range of ecotopes and management issues. The site visits will be supplemented with lectures on different management issues, including external lecturers from relevant organisations. Assessments consist of a group exercise to produce a plan to improve biodiversity at an urban site, and an individual executive summary for a management plan for a chosen site.
On completion of this module students will be familiar with the challenges faced and activities undertaken at a range of protected areas, and will be able to design, implement and evaluate habitat management changes.
On completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Understand the principles of habitat management for a range of different protected areas;
2. Identify key biodiversity features of, and threats to, different wildlife habitats;
3. Design management interventions to achieve clear aims and objectives at protected sites.
- You will gain experience of group-work to complete set tasks, including giving group presentations.
- You will gain understanding of a range of practical and social skills relating to habitat management.
1 lecture to introduce the concept of habitat management, its principles and an introduction to a range of habitats in Yorkshire, including terrestrial (lowland and upland), freshwater and coastal.
10 field trips to protected sites and farmland across the region to introduce students to a range of habitat management issues faced by different UK stakeholders (public, NGO, private). .
Seminars delivered by invited speakers representing different types of stakeholder.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 6 | 1.5 | 9 |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Fieldwork | 8 | 7 | 56 |
| Private study hours | 82 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 68 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Performance will largely be monitored by engagement with field trips.
- Feedback on the group oral presentations will be given rapidly after the presentations and will be directly relevant to the written report (executive summary).
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Group Project | Team project on regeneration scheme - oral presentation (max. 20 minutes including questions). | 30 |
| Report | Executive summary for a reserve management plan | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Re-sit for the group oral presentation to the class will be an individual oral presentation to the staff.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2025
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