Conservation Science

Understanding the full breadth of modern conservation science has never been more important given the fast pace at which conservation science is developing. How do natural and social science approaches to conservation differ and how can these be applied in the real world? You will be introduced to the key concepts that underpin conservation science and biodiversity management, and you will develop professional skills that will enable you to work successfully with individuals/organisations operating across the environmental and conservation sectors. Through a series of lectures, seminars and a hands-on fieldtrip, you’ll engage with a range of conservation scientists and practitioners with expertise in specific topics at the cutting edge of tackling the global biodiversity crisis. You’ll gain insights into how diverse disciplinary perspectives contribute to solving real-world environmental challenges.

How do we tackle conservation problems at the species and population levels? You’ll explore how species conservation biology frequently intersects with ecosystem-scale conservation and design and management of protected areas such as national parks. You’ll consider how certain species may be used to provide political or financial leverage in conservation programmes, while others may play fundamental and ecologically functional roles in whole ecosystem restoration and rewilding initiatives. You’ll examine how to prioritize species conservation when resources are limited, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Topics such as captive breeding, health monitoring, translocation and reintroduction will inform your understanding of species conservation alongside an appraisal of the role of conservation genetics and our understanding of extinction risk. You’ll consider these topics alongside established evolutionary theory that underpins population biology and conservation ecology. You’ll then go on to gain skills in population assessment, understanding evolutionary processes such as natural selection, genetic drift and effects of inbreeding, together with an understanding of genetic techniques to examine some of these processes. Throughout the module, you’ll see how these approaches are implemented in real-world conservation programs, including the roles played by conservation NGOs and zoos in protecting and conserving biodiversity.

Understanding people within a conservation context has never been more important. Given the importance of but also the complexity of our society, how should we process social science information to reach meaningful conclusions? You’ll be introduced to a range of methods and design issues essential for social science allied research. You’ll gain competency in the main social science research approaches, methods and survey instruments so that you can reflect critically on how different methods are applied within a range of interdisciplinary contexts. We start by exploring social science approaches to research, highlighting contrasts between realist, critical realist and constructionist philosophies, differences with standard natural science techniques, ethics, and the qualitative-quantitative divide. We’ll move on to consider individual methods such as participant observation, qualitative interviewing, questionnaire surveys, focus groups, collection of life histories and narrative material. You’ll gain knowledge and expertise in processing and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. You’ll receive specific training in the design and use of a range of research instruments. Then you will examine the principles of integrated research design and mixed methods approaches, ensuring that the knowledge you’ve gained directly supports your dissertation research.

How do you effectively analyse data as a conservation scientist?  How can hypothesis testing guide your analysis? You will be introduced to research and survey design drawing upon different scientific approaches. You will learn the principles of experimental design and how these can be applied to field projects, together with the nature of both quantitative and qualitative data. You’ll then be introduced to sampling strategies and the role of probability in inferential statistics, which will then lead into the role of descriptive statistics and measures of variability in data exploration. You will gain experience in parametric and nonparametric statistics in data analysis (t-tests, ANOVA, regression, correlation, their nonparametric equivalents), including multivariate tests and the rules underlying the appropriate presentation of statistical data in research reports. By the end of the module, you’ll have developed your statistical expertise to an extent that you’ll be able to confidently apply quantitative analytical approaches to research data and know how to present results effectively-skills that are vital for any research project as a conservation scientist.

You will learn the range of skills and techniques that you will need to conceptualise, design, and implement a scientific research project within conservation science. You will be led through a process including decision-making about identification of a viable and feasible research project topic, design of a scientific and testable research question, and project planning and logistics. You will obtain the ability to place a scientific research question within a broader context within conservation science, and you will gain the scientific writing skills needed to produce your written dissertation. This module will provide you with an understanding of academic research and an ability to identify and utilise appropriate strategies and techniques for the purpose of individual investigation, research and practice within a subject specific area of their course.

As a professional conservation scientist or practitioner, you will need to have experience and expertise in successfully undertaking scientific research. You will achieve this by undertaking a research project and writing it up as a research dissertation that represents a piece of independent research that you have carried out and which you have written up as a research paper. Under the guidance of an experienced academic research scientist who will act as your project supervisor, you will undertake the different stages of the research process, including reviewing the relevant literature on your chosen research topic, before then moving on to either an analysis of existing data sets, analysis of newly-collected field or laboratory data, or a combination of these approaches. The topic of your dissertation must be directly relevant to your pathway within the MSc in Conservation course to be eligible for the named pathway MSc.

How can we solve real-world problems in conservation science without a firm understanding and practical expertise of analysing spatial data? Today’s conservation scientists and practitioners have at their fingertips a torrent of spatial and remote sensing data, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are increasingly being used in many disciplines, including geography, ecology and conservation to help solve global, regional and local issues in conservation. As the current trend in these disciplines moves towards the analysis of large spatial datasets, employers often report shortages of relevant GIS skills, so gaining these skills can bring valuable career opportunities. You will be introduced to the use of GIS as a means of solving spatial problems providing you with marketable skills relevant to research and commercial needs. Through this module you will cover a range of methods for collection, presentation and analysis of spatial data and hands-on training in the most commonly used GIS software. Initially you will cover the basics of GIS such as an introduction to the major concepts of GIS, data sources and methods of data acquisition, and how to create and transform maps. Then you will go on to cover more advanced GIS operations such as manipulation of spatial data, spatial analysis of vector and raster data and you will also gain an introduction to Remote Sensing. You don’t need to have any prior knowledge of GIS, statistics or programming and you can join this module from any discipline.

How can we effectively conserve biodiversity without a critical understanding of the linkages between the social, economic and ecological systems? Economic drivers and societal values placed on biodiversity fuel the global trade in wildlife and this trade is a major threat to endangered wildlife. You will be introduced to key theories and concepts in economics and the wildlife trade, and how they relate to environmental and conservation issues. You will use problem-based learning approaches to explore the economic causes of conservation conflicts and biodiversity loss, and you will apply a whole systems approach to identify possible solutions. You will explore multilateral agreements such as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and the management of the wildlife trade based on policy, legislative, management and scientific frameworks for successful implementation at all levels, providing you with key expertise in these specialist fields. You will understand the complexities and drivers of the wildlife trade, both legal and illegal, and you will be guided through the workings of CITES and its implications. You will need to apply all of your skill sets to the problem-based active learning to obtain an in-depth understanding of the core economic and social drivers that influence wildlife trade and the distribution of conservation resources. This module does not require previous training in economics.

Understanding the relationship between conservation and community within the context of human wellbeing and development is crucial if you are to be an effective conservation scientist. You will consider the role conservation agents play in the development of rural communities and how rural development processes might, in turn, underpin conservation goals. You will cover issues including: the changing status and role of local communities in conservation agendas, the changing idea of ‘development’ and its implications for community-based conservation, the linkages between conservation and ideas of poverty alleviation, rural livelihoods, and human wellbeing and integrating conservation and development goals into the management of protected areas. As a professional conservation scientist or practitioner, it is essential that you are able to place these concerns in theoretical and applied contexts and so through this module you will learn about examples from a range of geographical and cultural settings. Through afield component, you will gain a first-hand perspective from conservation practitioners, local businesses, and other stakeholders about practical aspects of rural development and biodiversity conservation. You will become familiar with practical tools for successful management of conservation embedded in local communities and you will analyse the strengths and weaknesses of conservation in a rural development context. Furthermore, the assessments will provide you with an opportunity to develop and practice the social science research skills required to effectively manage conservation projects in a manner sympathetic to livelihoods and rural development objectives.

Why do some conservation projects succeed and other fail? How do conservation teams make tough decisions when mistakes or failure might lead to extinction of a species? You will gain knowledge in leadership and ability to manage conservation teams and individuals involved in delivering success within a conservation context. You will, as a professional conservation scientist or practitioner, need to match your desire for scientific understanding about biodiversity with an appreciation of the social skills required to manage and lead conservation programmes if you are to make more efficient and effective use of the resources that you have. You will begin by reflecting on the qualities required within a leader and how a leader’s management style can impact on others within an organisation. You will then consider the extent to which we can apply management theory to the practice of endangered species and habitat recovery and the people involved in making it happen. You will go on to consider different approaches to managing conflict within teams and balancing organisational and individual expectations and how to manage motivation and morale. By drawing on examples from both the business world and conservation community, you will consider different models for developing and managing teams and discover how you can get the best out of your team to achieve conservation success.