Module manager: Dr Lochran Traill
Email: L.Traill@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
School of Biology students are expected to have passed either BLGY2155 (Population, Community and Conservation Ecology) or BLGY2267 (Wildlife Ecology and Management). School of Earth and Environment students are expected to have passed SOEE1181 (Ecology) and SOEE2690 (Managing Biodiversity). Students on programmes parented by other Schools are expected to have passed BLGY2155 (Population, Community and Conservation Ecology)
| BLGY2155 | Population, Community and Conservation Ecology |
| BLGY2267 | Wildlife Ecology and Management |
| SOEE1181 | Ecology |
| SOEE2690 | Managing Biodiversity |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
The course provides an overview of conservation science theory and applications to key global conservation issues, and includes topics such as: - The principle threats to biodiversity - Extinction processes and extinction debt, and the consequences of losses in biodiversity - Species-area relationships and Island Biogeography theory - Illegal harvest - The African trophy hunting debate - The role of technology in conservation - Human wildlife co-existence
The aims of this module are as follows:
- Analyse the underlying causes of human-wildlife conflict and evaluate a range of mitigation strategies used to reduce conflict between people and wildlife.
- To critically evaluate the current patterns and causes of biodiversity loss and the consequences of this loss to ecosystem functioning and services and to illustrate the complexities of conservation policy in developing nations and why diversity of opinion matters.
- To assess how ecological theory informs conservation theory and to illustrate how conservation practice works, or fails to work, in the real world through discussion of a diverse range of case studies,
- To show how technology plays an important role in conservation science and the contributions made by engineering and computer science (to conservation).
Specific learning outcomes demonstrated through assessment:
1. Outline current theories and empirical examples in conservation science, including mechanisms underlying global patterns in the distribution of animals and plants,
2. Interpret the primary mechanisms responsible for biodiversity loss in both theoretical and practical terms in terms of the consequences of biodiversity loss to ecosystem functioning and services,
3. Critically appraise the complexities of conservation policy across cultural and political divides, in particular where this pertains to wildlife conflict and sustainable use and
4. Evaluate and discuss advances in technology and how this may be used in conservation.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Critically assess research information from a variety of sources, including evaluation of cultural and societal considerations and how they impact policy.
2. Apply knowledge and skills to solve problems in conservation planning and practice.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 17 | 1 | 17 |
| Practical | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Seminar | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Private study hours | 173 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 27 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Report - application of conservation technology questions | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 40 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 3.0 Hrs Mins | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 60 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 24/08/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team