ES2S78 - Farm Habitat and Environment 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES2S78
Module Title: Farm Habitat and Environment
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Chemical and Environmental Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environmental Science
Module Leader: Pete Dunford
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100978 - farm management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

This module enables students to gain an understanding of farm habitats, their ecology, management and extent. Students will be able to evaluate the effect of modern, temperate agriculture on the environment and suggest pathways towards sustainability.

Content Summary

  1. Range and type of farm habitats.
  2. Historical development of farm habitats and suitable management techniques for enhancing biodiversity.
  3. Farm survey techniques and management proposals.
  4. Environmental impact of temperate agriculture.
  5. Trends towards sustainability in agriculture.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 38
Practical classes and workshops 10
Fieldwork 20
Independent Study 50
Directed Study 30
Formative Assessment - Independent 52
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Analyse the conservation value of farm habitats and plan enhancement for biodiversity.
LO2 Evaluate the environmental impact of modern, temperate agriculture.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 Environmental impact of modern agriculture and trends towards sustainability 75 N/A 30 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Report (CW) 1 Produce a survey report outlining the habitats present at a given farm and make recommendations for enhancement in terms of biodiversity 0 3500 70 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1
Report (CW) 1

Reading List

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

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

Environment Agency (2008) Best Farming Practices Bristol: Environment Agency

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

Stace, C.A. (2010) New Flora of the British Isles, Third Edition, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Winspear, R. (ed.) (2007) The Farm Wildlife Handbook Sandy: The RSPB

Journal of Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Journal of Applied Ecology

Journal of Environmental Management