UNIVERSITY OF KENT

Module Specification

The title of the module:

Wildlife Management and Sustainable Use (DI507)

The School which will be responsible for management of the module:

Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology; School of Anthropology and Conservation

The Start Date of the Module:

1997

The cohort of students (onwards) to which the module will be applicable:

2012-13 entry

The number of students expected to take the module:

50

Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal

The level of the module (eg Certificate [C], Intermediate [I], Honours [H] or Postgraduate [M]):

H (FHEQ Level: 6)

The number of credits which the module represents:

15

Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern):

Autumn

10  Prerequisite and co-requisite modules:

Only available to students registered for BSc in Wildlife Conservation

11  The programmes of study to which the module contributes

BSc in Wildlife Conservation

12 The intended subject specific learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their relationship to programme learning outcomes

At the end of this module students will have learnt:

Subject Specific Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:

12.1  Appreciate the relationships between wildlife exploitation and biodiversity conservation

12.2  Quantitative skills for population analysis

12.3 Methods for assessing sustainable use

12.4 Skills for developing species management plans

12.5 Critical evaluation of sustainable exploitation as a conservation strategy

Relationship to Programme Learning Outcomes

PLO A.1: Fundamental ecological and biodiversity-related concepts and how they apply to wildlife conservation (12.1, 12.4, 12.5)

PLO A.2: Understanding of species, habitat and landscape conservation and how they relate to wildlife conservation (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5)

PLO A.3: Practical understanding of wildlife conservation (12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5)

PLO A.4. Principles of sustainable use and wildlife management (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5)

PLO A.6: Issues and practices involved with managing wildlife both within and away from protected areas (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5)

PLO A10: Knowledge of the role that statistics has in wildlife conservation (12.2, 12.2, 12.3)

PLO C.3. Research design and statistics (12.3, 12.4, 12.5)

PLO C.4: Skills for analysing and appraising conservation data (12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5)

PLO C.7: Skills for management of protected areas (12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5)

13 The intended generic learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their relationship to programme learning outcomes

Generic Learning Outcomes of this module are:

13.1 importance of theory for practical management

13.2 importance of interdisciplinary approaches

13.3 scientific report writing

13.4 scientific data interpretation

13.5 scientific data analysis

Relationship to Programme Learning Outcomes

PLO B.1: General learning and study skills (13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5)

PLO B.2: Critical and analytical skills (13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5)

PLO B.3: Ability to express ideas in writing and orally (13.3)

PLO B.4: Design, implementation, analysis and write-up of a research project (or dissertation) (13.3, 13.4, 13.5)

PLO B.5. Ability to interpret scholarly publications (13.3, 13.4, 13.5,)

PLO B.7. Ability to make a structured and logical argument (13.3)

PLO D.1: Computer skills (13.5)

PLO D.3: Report and proposal writing (13.3)

PLO D.5. Library skills (13.3)

PLO D.6: Independent research skills (13.3, 13.4, 13.5)

14 A synopsis of the curriculum

The aim of this unit is to familiarise students with the ecology, management and sustainable use of wildlife populations. This module will explore in depth how theoretical models drawn from population biology can be used to assess whether current levels of human exploitation of wildlife are sustainable over the long term. Wildlife management and sustainable use are examined from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Extensive use of historical and current case studies from both the animal and plant kingdoms will illustrate how unregulated overexploitation has often caused the extinction of species. The manner in which variation in the morphological, life history and ecological characteristics of species determine their resilience to exploitation is explored. The underlying theory of population ecology is examined using models of single-species populations, interspecific interactions and population regulation. Models for calculating sustainable yields and the uncertainties in the assumptions of these calculations will be examined. Examples of modern approaches to conservation involving sustainable harvesting by local communities will be explored and critically evaluated.

15 Indicative Reading List

Milner-Gulland EJ and Rowcliffe JM 2007 / Conservation and Sustainable Use: A Handbook of Techniques
Caughley G and Sinclair A 1994 / Wildlife Ecology and Management
Robinson J and Bennett E 2000 / Hunting for Sustainability in Tropical Forests
Shaw J 1985 / Introduction to Wildlife Management
Taylor V and Dunstone N 1996 / The Exploitation of Mammal Populations

16 Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to achievement of the intended learning outcomes

Contact hours consist of 22 1-hour sessions (Total: 22 hours, Learning outcomes: 12.1-5; 13.1-5). See below.

Students will also be expected to carry out approximately four hours a week of independent study between sessions (total: 48 hours), in the form of background reading (Learning outcomes 12.1-5, 13.1-5).

They will also be required to complete one assessed piece of coursework (40 hours: (Learning outcomes 12.1-5, 13.1-5).), and to revise for their examination (40 hours: (Learning outcomes 12.1-5, 13.1-5).). The total number of hours for this 15-credit module is therefore 150

Lectures

·  Schedule: 11 hours; one lecture per week for 11 weeks

·  Learning outcomes: 12.1-5; 13.1-2; 13.4-5.

·  Achievement of Learning Outcomes: The learning outcomes will be achieved through the oral and visual presentation of lecture material covering the following topics and also subjects areas listed above in under ‘Synopsis of the curriculum’. These lectures will help students develop their skills of interpretation and critical analysis

·  Examples of Topics

·  Background to sustainable exploitation

·  Overexploitation and extinction

·  Recreational hunting

·  Understanding the incentives of users

·  Techniques for surveying exploited species

·  Assessing current sustainability of use

·  Developing predictive models

·  Linking theory and practice

·  Choosing management approaches

·  Implementing management for long-term sustainability

Seminars

·  Schedule: 11 hours; 11 one hour seminars.

·  Learning outcomes: 12.1-5; 13.1-5.

·  Achievement of Learning Outcomes: The learning outcomes will be achieved through readings and preparing practical examples of different types of wildlife management and discussing the challenges posed by these in groups using teaching resources.

·  Examples of Topics

·  Recreational hunting

·  Bird’s nest soup

·  Aquarium trade

·  Overfishing of the orange roughy

·  Brazil nuts

·  Crocodile skins

17 Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended learning outcomes

Current assessment 50% Coursework (one written report), 50% Written Examination

·  The assignment is to write a 4000 word management plan for the long-term sustainable exploitation of a threatened species. Learning outcomes: 12.1-5; 13.1-5.

·  Written Examination (50%) will assess all of the course content. Learning outcomes: 12.1-6; 13.1-5.

18 Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space

None

19 The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with the University’s disability/dyslexia support service, and specialist support will be provided where needed.

20. Campus(es) where module will be delivered Canterbury campus

Statement by the Director of Learning and Teaching: "I confirm I have been consulted on the above module proposal and have given advice on the correct procedures and required content of module proposals"

......
Director of Learning and Teaching
…………………………………………………
Print Name / ......
Date

Statement by the Head of School: "I confirm that the School has approved the introduction of the module and, where the module is proposed by School staff, will be responsible for its resourcing"

......
Head of School
…………………………………………………….
Print Name / ......
Date