ES1S54 - Grassland Management 01 Sep 2018 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES1S54
Module Title: Grassland Management
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Chemical and Environmental Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environmental Science
Module Leader:
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2013 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100469 - environmental management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2018
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

This module aims to enable students to gain an understanding of the main grassland communities of the UK, their ecology, conservation value and wildlife. Students will learn appropriate techniques for managing semi-natural grassland.

Content Summary

  1. Origins of grassland in the UK, grasslands in a global context.
  2. Range of grassland types in the UK, with reference to both the Phase 1 and NVC classification systems.
  3. Grassland ecology, species identification and community development.
  4. Threats to semi-natural grasslands.
  5. Grassland management techniques, conservation grazing and hay meadow management and restoration.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 48
Fieldwork 10
Independent Study 30
Directed Study 50
Formative Assessment - Independent 62
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Evaluate grassland development and types.
LO2 Analyse conservation management techniques.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Oral Assessment (CW) Presentation (CW) 1 Produce a professional illustration outlining the range and type of grasslands present in the UK. Describe the ecology of two named grassland NVC communities. 15 N/A 50 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Essay (CW) 1 Outline historical and current threats to grassland biodiversity. Evaluate a range of conservation management techniques. 0 2000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (CW) 1 ✔ ✔
Essay (CW) 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Ausden, M (2007) Habitat Management for Conservation. Oxford: Oxford University Press

Averis, B. (2013) Plants and Habitats. Drayton: Swallowtail Print

Cooper, E.A. (1997) Summary Descriptions of National Vegetation Classification: Grassland and Montane Communities. Peterborough: JNCC

Cope, T. Gray, A. (2009) Grasses of the British Isles. London: Botanical Society of the British Isles

Joint Nature Conservancy Council (2010) Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat Survey. Peterborough: JNCC

Lake, S. Liley, D. Still, R. Swash, A. (2015) Britain’s Habitats, A Guide to the Wildlife Habitats of Britain and Ireland. Woodstock: Princeton University Press

Price, E. (2002) Lowland Grassland and Heathland Habitats. London: Routledge

Proctor, M. (2013) Vegetation of Britain and Ireland. London: Harper Collins

Rodwell, J. (1991) Brirtish Plant Communities Volume 3: Grasslands and Montane Communities. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Rose, F. (1989) Colour Identification Guide to the Grasses, Sedges, Rushes and Ferns of the British Isles and north-western Europe. London: Penguin group

Rose, F. (2006) The Wild Flower Key. London: Penguin

Stevens, D.P., Smith, S.L.N., Blackstock, T.H., Bosanquet, S.D.S. and Stevens, J.P. (2010) Grasslands of Wales. Cardiff: Wales University Press

Journal of Applied Ecology

Journal of Environmental Management