This course explores key issues in the management of biodiversity conservation in today's changing world. Topics include practical considerations around protected area design, policy and management at local, regional and international scales, including exploration of resource protection, ecological monitoring, rewilding, tourism management, protected area infrastructure and conservation financing. The merits of these management activities will be considered alongside the human dimensions of conservation, where students will explore topics relating to human development, sustainable use, wildlife trade, hunting, human-wildlife conflict and wildlife interventions. These subjects will be considered from diverse ethical, ecological, socio-economic and political perspectives, with many examples from sub-Saharan Africa and low to middle income settings.

This course is made up of lectures and practical classes in semester 2.

None

Assessment will consist of: 

1. Oral presentation outlining key elements of a General Management Plan (GMP) for a selected protected area system in a new or low-income setting (50%).

ILOs: 1a, 1b, 1e, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Workload: 10-15 hours

2. A recorded podcast with written transcript examining a contemporary conservation issue (50%)

ILOs: 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 2c, 3

Workload: 10-15 hours

The aim of this course is twofold. First, the course introduces students to key issues in the management of protected areas, including the tenets of adaptive management, ecosystem versus landscape management, as well as challenges around resource protection, ecological monitoring, tourism management and development, infrastructure management and community conservation. The course will draw on examples from savannah, forest, wetland and marine ecosystems and special emphasis will be placed on introducing students to practical aspects of protected area planning. Secondly, the course explores human dimensions of conservation, including topics relating to biodiversity conservation and human development, sustainable use, wildlife trade, hunting, human-wildlife conflict and wildlife interventions. These subjects will be considered from diverse ethical, ecological, socio-economic and political perspectives.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically discuss with reference to the evidence base and primary literature:

1. a) The key issues and activities involved in the management of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, including practical aspects of protected area planning.

1. b) Approaches used in setting conservation priorities and the appropriate scales for conservation planning.

1. c) Different approaches to natural resource management and their implications for biodiversity conservation and human development.

1. d) Interacting ecological, ethical, social and economic issues affecting conservation and the management of wildlife.

1. e) Challenges surrounding the sustainable utilisation of wildlife, including tourism, sport hunting and wildlife trade.

1. f) Dilemmas arising from human-wildlife conflict and different approaches to conflict mitigation.

1. g) Attitudes and approaches towards different types of wildlife interventions for conservation.

2. Critical understanding of a contemporary conservation dilemma.

3. Make a rational argument for/against a particular conservation action/approach.

4. Critically compare and contrast the type of economic instruments available to support conservation and sustain the management of protected areas.

5. Critically discuss contemporary controversies in relation to protected area management and different conservation paradigms.

6. Apply concepts to design a comprehensive management plan for a protected area.

7. Conduct a conservation priority-setting exercise.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.