Module Information
Module Identifier
BDM2215
Module Title
Conservation Horticulture
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Distance Learning
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Critical Essay 2000 Words | 45% |
| Semester Assessment | Plant identification Interactive Task via VLE Student will give a summary of 50-100 words per plant sample. 500 Words | 25% |
| Semester Assessment | Written Task This will be an interactive task on the VLE. 800 Words | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Plant identification Interactive Task via VLE Student will give a summary of 50-100 words per plant sample. 500 Words | 25% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written Task This will be an interactive task on the VLE. 800 Words | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Critical Essay 2000 Words | 45% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Critically appraise the wide-ranging roles of botanic gardens in the 21st century in plant conservation.
Demonstrate advanced skills in morphologically identifying key plant families for the UK flora.
Critically evaluate the role and applications of ex-situ collections in conservation.
Critically appraise the role of policy, convention and practice as means by which to enable conservation of biodiversity at different international levels.
Brief description
Botanic gardens are on the frontline in efforts to conserve plant diversity through deliver of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. The realisation of priority outcomes has been underpinned by the work of several key disciplines, including conservation horticulturists.
This module is taught by staff from the National Botanic Garden of Wales. It will introduce students to the wide-ranging activities of a modern botanic garden, from biodiversity conservation and scientific research, through to education and engagement. The teaching will highlight how horticulture cuts across and underpins the various core functions of botanic gardens. The module includes training in plant identification and habitat provision – key skills and knowledge for a conservation horticulturist.
This module is taught by staff from the National Botanic Garden of Wales. It will introduce students to the wide-ranging activities of a modern botanic garden, from biodiversity conservation and scientific research, through to education and engagement. The teaching will highlight how horticulture cuts across and underpins the various core functions of botanic gardens. The module includes training in plant identification and habitat provision – key skills and knowledge for a conservation horticulturist.
Aims
Students will:
- Develop a holistic view of the role of horticulture in plant conservation through the examination of the collections based work and practical efforts of botanic gardens, combined with exploring international conventions, and national strategies and policies.
- Investigate how these instruments can be practically applied to conserve manage and sustainably use biodiversity and the application of horticulture to do so.
- Have a critical understanding of the global plant conservation agenda, and construct a skills and knowledge framework for horticulture to support global needs and conservation priorities.
- Develop key skills and knowledge including understanding the basis of plant identification, the value and application of ex-situ collections to conservation, and how botanical institutions can maximise provision for biodiversity. Both developing the skills and highlighting the need for these roles is vital to future proof conservation efforts and ensure succession planning of skilled horticulturalists that support society to meet national and international targets for conservation.
- Develop a holistic view of the role of horticulture in plant conservation through the examination of the collections based work and practical efforts of botanic gardens, combined with exploring international conventions, and national strategies and policies.
- Investigate how these instruments can be practically applied to conserve manage and sustainably use biodiversity and the application of horticulture to do so.
- Have a critical understanding of the global plant conservation agenda, and construct a skills and knowledge framework for horticulture to support global needs and conservation priorities.
- Develop key skills and knowledge including understanding the basis of plant identification, the value and application of ex-situ collections to conservation, and how botanical institutions can maximise provision for biodiversity. Both developing the skills and highlighting the need for these roles is vital to future proof conservation efforts and ensure succession planning of skilled horticulturalists that support society to meet national and international targets for conservation.
Content
Introduction to conservation and botanic gardens
Introduction to botany
Living and Preserved Collections
Botanic gardens and research
Habitat Conservation
Conservation Horticulture in Society
Introduction to botany
Living and Preserved Collections
Botanic gardens and research
Habitat Conservation
Conservation Horticulture in Society
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Co-ordinating with others | Preparation for a group debate on biodiversity policy |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Comprehensively analysing the literature and communicating the synthesis through an essay. |
| Digital capability | Students will be required to use online resources to source scientific literature and industry examples. |
| Professional communication | Communicating concepts appropriately. |
| Real world sense | Demonstrating the application of horticulture and research to applied conservation in an industry context. |
| Subject Specific Skills | The morphological identification of plant families. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7