Biodiversity, Conservation and Development (30 credits)

Scope

 How biodiversity is treated is one of the fundamental determinants of the nature of society for current generations, and for how future generations will live. A key aspect of this module Is to examine current understanding of global threats to biodiversity and to demonstrate how heavily implicated development processes are in the magnitude of these threats. The links between biodiversity and social and political organisation are explored. The module provides: grounding in key disciplinary perspectives that contribute to understanding of the relationship between conservation and development;  an interdisciplinary overview of the relationship between biodiversity, conservation and development historically and currently; why biodiversity loss is happening at such an alarming rate, both in terms of immediate causes and underlying drivers; the instruments which attempt to achieve biodiversity conservation and development objectives; and potential future trends in biodiversity conservation and development.

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

• Understand critically the relationship between biodiversity, conservation and development
• Understand the implications for approaches to biodiversity conservation of the relationship between conservation and development, in its historical, social, political and economic dimensions
• Gain a sound knowledge of initiatives and tools which attempt to realise conservation and development objectives simultaneously
• Identify the strengths, weaknesses and trade-offs inherent in different approaches to achieving conservation and development simultaneously,
• Use the understanding gained of the relationship between biodiversity, conservation and development to inform more effective and legitimate choices about dealing with real-world situations in which conservation and development objectives have to be reconciled.

Workload

Students are advised to dedicate 10-15 hours study time per week for this module.

Syllabus

Topics include (indicative): 

The Links between Biodiversity, Conservation and Development from an Historical Perspective

Biodiversity and Biodiversity Loss

International Law and Policy for Biodiversity

Society and Nature

Governance and Biodiversity

Population, Consumption, Conflict, and Biodiversity

Genetic, Species and Ecosystems Conservation in a Development Context

Protected Areas, Conservation and Society 

Conservation Outside Protected Areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures

Payments for Ecosystem Services

Nature’s Contributions to People and Nature-based Solutions

The Efficacy of Biodiversity Offsetting

Future Prospects for Biodiversity, Conservation and Development

Disclaimer

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