Module Information

Introduction to the concept of species conservation. Subjects to be covered include the importance of conservation, current threats to global biodiversity(habitat destruction/fragmentation/degradation, overexploitation, global climate change, invasive species, international trade in endangered species), valuing biodiversity - Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, methods used to measure biodiversity, general aspects of conservation biology - issues of rarity, extinction, vulnerability, habitat specificity.
International, European and UK species conservation initiatives and obligations are considered, with an outline of land designations and landscape protection measures in the UK, marine conservation (covering: pollution and threats to coastal environments, the marine bill, and the conservation of UK fisheries and marine resources etc.) and freshwater conservation.
Techniques used in species conservation are introduced with the application of population dynamics and genetics to conservation. Firstly, population dynamics, population structure and metapopulations will be discussed, followed by an in-depth study of genetic diversity, genetic consequences of rarity, inbreeding and the molecular techniques commonly used by conservation geneticists.
The module concludes with an outline of conservation methods including in situ and ex-situ conservation programmes, introduction and reintroductions, and restoration ecology. In each case, outlining the methods underlying principles and role in wider conservation efforts, with the use of selected and contrasting examples.