Landscape Ecology and Spatial Conservation Planning
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| GEOG3053 | Environmental & Geographical Sciences | 3 | 10 | Spring Malaysia |
- Code
- GEOG3053
- School
- Environmental & Geographical Sciences
- Level
- 3
- Credits
- 10
- Semesters
- Spring Malaysia
Summary
Landscapes across the world are undergoing rapid changes from human activities predominantly from the conversion of large areas to settlement, agriculture and forestry, resulting in habitat loss and fragmentation. These changes in landscape patterns restrict species movement, reduce population viability and disrupt natural ecological processes, increasing extinction risk. This module aims to provide a critical and sophisticated understanding of the theory and practice of landscape ecology and spatial conservation planning drawing on examples from tropical regions. The module is taught using a real world case study project in order to teach the practical skills required for delivering on-the-ground actions that achieve conservation goals such as the expansion of reserve networks and identification of areas for restoration. The module focuses not only on teaching spatial tools and ecological theory for conservation planning but providing an understanding of the social, planning and policy context in which they are applied.
Target Students
students in the School of Environmental and Geographical Sciences
Classes
- One 2-hour seminar
- One 1-hour practicum each week for 9 weeks
- One 7-hour practicum
3 x 7 hour combined lecture and computer practical classes (3 consecutive days); 9 x 1 hour group work practical classes; 1 x 2 hour student group presentation seminar; contribution to online discussion forum.
Assessment
- 70% Report: <p>Individual Essay (max 1500)</p>
- 30% Coursework: <p>Group Project presentation</p>
Educational Aims
To introduce landscape ecology and spatial conservation planning theory and practice. Additionally, this module aims to teach advanced spatial tools to quantify biodiversity, evaluate the impacts of habitat fragmentation, plan wildlife corridors, and use priority areas for conservation actions such as protection and restoration.Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
A1) Describe the landscape ecology patch-corridor-matrix perspective for characterising landscapes.
A2) Summarise the core concepts of spatial prioritisation in conservation planning.
A3) Critically evaluate the range of landscape-scale ecological processes that need to be considered.
A4) Evaluate the key social and economic considerations that affect the success of conservation planning.
Intellectual Skills
B1) Assess landscapes utilising the central patch-corridor-matrix concepts and principles of fragmentation and connectivity.
B2) Assess planning priorities in terms of key spatial prioritisation concepts such as threats and vulnerability.
B3) Critically assess the trade-offs between conservation priorities and social and economic constraints.
Professional/Practical Skills
C1) Design and evaluate effective strategies for biodiversity conservation planning with respect to social and economic constraints.
C2) Identify and apply the appropriate conservation planning methods/theory and corresponding ecological software (Fragstats, Linkage mapper, Circuitscape, or Marxan) to solve real world conservation planning problems.
C3) Assess and address limitations in ecological knowledge and data.
Transferable/Key Skills
D1) Communicate effectively in writing and orally.
D2) Acquire, manipulate and analyse spatial data.
D3) Critically appraise, evaluate and defend competing evidence.
Conveners
- Dr Cedric Kai Wei Tan