ES2S212 - Geospatial Applications in Wildlife Conservation 13 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES2S212
Module Title: Geospatial Applications in Wildlife Conservation
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Applied Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environment
Module Leader: Niamh Breslin
Module Team: Richard Penrose
First Intended Intake: AUG 2024 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100469 - environmental management 101318 - biodiversity conservation
HECOS Code Weighting: 50 50

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 13 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To provide knowledge, understanding and application of contemporary techniques in collection, analysis and interpretation of ecological and wildlife spatial data for use in wildlife conservation management.

To develop professional, industry standard skills in geospatial data analysis.

To understand the strengths and limitations of a variety of geospatial datasets from multiple sources including Digimap, Planet, NASA, ESA and ESRI Living Atlas.

 

Content Summary

This module will equip students with the ability to solve real-world problems and answer contemporary questions in wildlife conservation and management through the acquisition, manipulation, and presentation of available spatial datasets. Students will develop an understanding of how to effectively manage large datasets and extract relevant data to carry out spatial analysis. Cartographic principles will be applied to design informative maps providing clear science communication and actionable intelligence.

Theory:

Principles of Cartography

Fundamentals of GIS and Remote Sensing

Applications of geospatial data and software for wildlife conservation and management (terrestrial and marine habitats).

Practical skills:

Use of QGIS and ArcGIS to process data and create maps, including use of advanced spatial analysis tools.

Use of ERDAS Imagine for processing of RS datasets.

Acquisition of geospatial data from a variety of sources and in a variety of formats, and subsequent cleaning and pre-processing of data.

Collection and application of GPS data.

Phase 1 habitat surveying and subsequent map creation.

Data management.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Practical classes and workshops 32
Fieldwork 8
Independent Study 110
Directed Study 42
Seminar 8
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Development of a range of intermediate GIS and remote sensing skills and techniques coupled with an ability to collect, manipulate and evaluate spatial data, and use the outputs and the literature to answer specific research questions related to wildlife conservation.
LO2 Critically appraise the range and applicability of commercially available GIS software packages and be able to use such software packages to correctly present spatial data and produce professional reports.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch) Geospatial skills folio displaying competency in geospatial processing and cartographic design, with a discussion demonstrating understanding of the role of GIS/RS in various aspects of wildlife conservation. 0 2000 65 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Field coursework 1 Phase 1 habitat survey at a local field site – subsequent map creation and report compilation. 0 2000 35 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Practical Coursework 1 (Asynch)
Field coursework 1

Reading List

Harvey, F., & Francis, J. (2016) A primer of GIS: fundamental geographic and cartographic concepts. Second edition. New York: Guilford Press.

Longley, P.A., Goodchild, M.F., Maguire, D.J. & Rhind, D.W. (2015) Geographic Information Science and Systems 4th Edition, Wiley & Sons.

Chuvieco, E. (2016) Fundamentals of Satellite Remote Sensing: An Environmental Approach, Second Edition 2nd Edition, Jacana Media (Pty).

Peterson, G. N. (2021) GIS cartography: a guide to effective map design. Third edition. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

Wegmann, M., Leutner, B., & Dech, S. W. (2016) Remote sensing and GIS for ecologists: using open-source software. Exeter: Pelagic Publishing.