Marine Conservation and Policy

Module overview

This module is only open to Year 3 students registered on MSci Biology and Marine Biology, BSc Biology and Marine Biology, BSc Marine Biology with Oceanography, MSci Marine Biology and Oceanography, MSci Marine Biology and BSc Marine Biology degrees. MSc Oceanography, MRes Ocean Sciences or MSci students who took a Semester Abroad can take the Level 6 dual-coded option. This module will cover a range of issues surrounding marine conservation and policy, split into three sections. We will initially focus on the causes and consequences of the current biodiversity concerns, then investigate strategies for marine biodiversity management and monitoring and emphasise the importance of population models for predicting and improving conservation outcomes.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching and learning methods

The overarching goal is to provide the students with an interactive and hands-on experience of the central issues surrounding biodiversity conservation, management and policy development. Lectures/Seminars: A series of core lectures will introduce and analyse the central aspects of marine biodiversity conservation, the importance of ecological models for predicting and improving conservation outcomes. We will investigate the challenges of managing highly mobile animals in the high seas and look at different biodiversity monitoring and tracking techniques. Case Studies: Research-centred topics of relevant interest will be covered by seminars and presentations given by guest speakers discussing their topical research carried out in Southampton and from local conservation trusts and authorities. Discussion/Practical sessions 1)Poole Harbour: fisheries management and conservation designations 2) Conservation and management of seagrass habitats in Studland bay 3)Communicating science to decision makers and managers: developing a policy brief 4)Conducting a Shark-movement analysis 5)Using ecological models to inform decision making

Study time
Type	Hours
Practical classes and workshops	20
Lecture	20
Independent Study	110
Total study time	150

Assessment

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Breakdown
Method	Percentage contribution
Modelling	30%
Policy brief	70%

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External