BI2S212 - Applied Tropical Conservation 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BI2S212
Module Title: Applied Tropical Conservation
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Biological Sciences
Module Leader: Natalie Lubbock
Module Team: Harri Little, Anthony Caravaggi, David Lee, Emma Higgins, Claire Tanner, Cerith Jones
First Intended Intake: SEP 0001 Final Year of Intake: 0001
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100347 - ecology 100864 - ecosystem ecology and land use 101318 - biodiversity conservation
HECOS Code Weighting: 33 33 34

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

This module uses a combination of theory, practical case studies and fieldwork focused on key tropical landscapes to explore the study of tropical ecology and conservation in an applied context. It is informed by the real-world need for first-hand experience of conducting fieldwork and scientific studies in challenging settings with multiple demands on natural resources, and the development of the required skills associated with this.

On successful completion of this module, students will have:

  • Applied themselves scientifically to a range of ecological, conservation and landscape management situations in tropical regions important for biodiversity, people, and ecosystem goods and services.
  • Gained applied, hands-on experience of the ecology, conservation, and research of selected tropical ecosystems, including coral reefs and tropical forests, their species and habitats.
  • Working experience of the identification of a range of tropical taxa and the use of contemporary field techniques to study them.
  • Learnt in practical scenarios to construct important scientific questions, design field studies so that valid conclusions may later be drawn, adapt studies to the challenges of tropical fieldwork, observe and obtain evidence in the field using appropriate methods and techniques, produce and communicate coherent scientific outputs of field investigations, and apply this in a real-world context.
  • Learnt and applied essential underwater survey skills and techniques for PADI open water divers, with equivalent activities and sea surface-based skills for snorkellers.

Through first-hand experience of applying fieldwork to real-world challenges, students will develop their skills in communication, enquiry and analysis, problem solving, critical reflection, and working with others, including nurturing an appreciation of other working cultures.

In engaging with the module appropriately, students will fully achieve the following level-appropriate Behaviour Domains of the USW Graduate Attributes:

Commercial Awareness: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Communication: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Innovation and Enterprise: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Project Management: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

Digital Literacy: Behaviour 1, 2

Leadership: Behaviour 1, 2, 3

The Capabilities associated with these behaviours are found in the Graduate Attributes table at the end of the descriptor.

Note: This optional module includes an overseas field course with additional costs. This field course will only run if sufficient students are registered on the module. The delivery or location of the field course may change to consider global events at the time of study (e.g., pandemic, UK Government Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice, security issues in the location). It is essential students engage with any and all health and safety training, instruction and materials relating to the field course.

Content Summary

This module has a field course component, which is delivered alongside BI4S94 Tropical Ecology, and a university-based

component in which theoretical understanding and application is developed through research-based learning. Module content and delivery use regional case studies, particularly the location of the field course, to explore the ecology of tropical ecosystems and the challenges and future horizons for conserving these important landscapes.

Topics covering applied tropical ecology in this module may include, but are not limited to:

  • Tropical ecosystems as centres of ecological diversification and biodiversity and as reflected in tropical community ecology.
  • Structures and defining characteristics of undisturbed and anthropogenically-altered rainforest and marine habitats, and the human stressors that affect these ecosystems.
  • Ecological processes in tropical ecosystems, including nutrient cycling, decomposition, pollination and seed dispersal.
  • Field identification of key taxonomic groups.
  • Conflicting demands on tropical systems, including balancing the co-benefits of biodiversity, people, and ecosystem goods and services.
  • Practical training in terrestrial ecological field techniques, including measuring and classifying rainforest habitats and their carbon content, and direct (e.g., behavioural observations, point and transect surveys) and indirect (e.g., camera traps, passive acoustic monitoring, drones) survey methods for a range of species, and populations and communities.
  • Practical training in key scientific diving techniques for underwater ecological surveys and monitoring, including quantitative assessment methods (e.g., timed fish counts, quadrats, transects) and technologies (e.g., video recording, autonomous underwater vehicles) for fish, corals and other marine organisms.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Fieldwork 108
Independent Study 45
Directed Study 15
Tutorial 28
Practical Classes and Workshops 4
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Relate in-depth knowledge and practical experience of the characteristics, and ecological processes and gradients that define tropical ecosystems, to evaluate conservation measures for mitigating human impacts and demands on tropical habitats, species, and ecological functionality.
LO2 Apply contemporary field skills and techniques to address ecological and conservation research scenarios for a range of tropical biota in terrestrial and marine habitats and driven by stakeholder needs.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Project Output 1 Podcast or vlog on a mini field project, from conception to completion 15 N/A 40 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Field coursework 1 Field notebook reflecting activities undertaken in the field; Write-up of original research in the form of a mini project 0 3000 60 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project Output 1 ✔ ✔
Field coursework 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Joiner, J.T. (ed.) (2010). NOAA Diving Manual: Diving for Science and Technology. 4th ed. Revised. Flagstaff, AZ: Best Publishing Company.

Corlett, R.T. and Primack, R.B. 2011. Tropical rain forests: an ecological and biogeographical comparison. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.

Ghazoul, J. and Sheil, D. 2010. Tropical rain forest ecology, diversity, and conservation. Oxford University Press.

Henderson, P.A. 2021. Southwood’s ecological methods. 5th ed. Oxford University Press.

Humann, P. and DeLoach, N. (2014). Reef Fish Identification - Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. Jacksonville, FL: New World Publications.

Kaiser, M.J., Attrill, M.J., Jennings, S., Thomas, D.N., Barnes, D.K.A., Brierley, A.S., Hiddink, J.G., Kaartokallio, H., Polunin, N.V.C. and Raffaelli, D.G. (2011). Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kricher, J.C. 2010. Tropical ecology. Princeton University Press.

Larkum, A.W.D. et al. 2006. Seagrasses: biology, ecology, and conservation. Springer.

Newton, A.C. 2007. Forest ecology and conservation: a handbook of techniques. Oxford University Press.

Sutherland, W.J. 2006. Ecological census techniques: a handbook. Cambridge University Press.

Particularly relevant scientific journals include: Biological Conservation, Biotropica, Conservation Biology, Frontiers in Ecology and Environment, Journal of Tropical Ecology, Nature, PNAS, Science, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, and Tropical Conservation Science.