Biodiversity Conservation
- Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 83 pages
- 10 units
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity conservation, exploring the varieties of life at ecosystem, community, species, and genetic levels. It examines ecological formations, principal causes of extinction, and effective conservation methods. The course covers ecological, economic, and social values of biological resources, impacts of pollution and climate change, and conservation efforts in West Africa, equipping students with knowledge to conserve biological resources.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 156 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ESM328, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ESM328 · UNIT 1 CONCEPT OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
The study of biodiversity is essentially hinged on the knowledge of organisms-including plants, animals and microbes-at scales ranging from genetic diversity within populations to species diversity, to community diversity across landscapes.
What you should be able to do
- Explain the concept of biodiversity and its importance.
- Identify the ecological, economic, and social values of biological resources.
- Analyze the factors responsible for the loss of biodiversity.
- Evaluate different methods for conserving biological diversity.
- Discuss the impact of pollution and climate change on biodiversity.
- Apply conservation strategies to specific case studies, such as West Africa.
What it prepares you for
- Conservation Officer
- Environmental Consultant
- Wildlife Manager
- Environmental Educator
- Sustainability Manager
- Environmental Conservation
- Agriculture
- Tourism
- Government Agencies
- Research Institutions
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1:
Unit 5: Protocol on Biodiversity Conservation
Understanding the legal and ethical implications of biodiversity conservation requires careful analysis of international agreements and national policies.
- Module 2:
Unit 3: Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity
Analyzing the complex interactions between climate change and biodiversity requires understanding of ecological processes and climate models.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 116 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Concept of Biological Diversity · 5 hours
Define biodiversity and its importance.. Describe species richness, diversity, and endemism.. Explain the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem health..
Unit 2: Economic, Ecological and Social Values of Biological Resources · 5 hours
Discuss the economic benefits of forests, including timber, rubber, and medicinal plants.. Explain the ecological roles of forests in climate regulation and water cycling.. Analyze the social values of forests for indigenous communities and tourism..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 3: Biodiversity Loss and Extinctions · 5 hours
Identify the main causes of habitat destruction, such as deforestation and urbanization.. Explain how habitat fragmentation affects species survival.. Discuss the impact of invasive species on native biodiversity..
Unit 4: Biodiversity Conservation Methods · 5 hours
Describe in-situ and ex-situ conservation methods.. Discuss the role of government policies and community involvement in conservation.. Explain the importance of habitat restoration and sustainable resource management..
- Week 3Module 1:
Unit 5: Protocol on Biodiversity Conservation · 5 hours
Explain the purpose and scope of biodiversity conservation protocols.. Discuss the duties of contracting parties in protecting biodiversity.. Analyze the role of international agreements in biodiversity conservation..
- Week 4Module 2:
Unit 1: Environmental Pollution and Biodiversity Loss · 5 hours
Identify different types of environmental pollution (air, water, soil).. Explain how industrial pollution affects biodiversity.. Discuss waste management strategies and their impact on ecosystems..
Unit 2: Climate Change and Biodiversity · 5 hours
Define climate change and differentiate it from global warming.. Explain the factors driving climate change, including greenhouse gases and human activities.. Discuss the role of glaciers, oceans, and volcanic activity in climate regulation..
- Week 5Module 2:
Unit 3: Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity · 5 hours
Explain how climate change affects species distribution and migration patterns.. Discuss the impact of temperature changes, sea-level rise, and altered rainfall on biodiversity.. Analyze the vulnerability of ecosystems to climate change..
Unit 4: Climate Change Mitigation and Biodiversity Conservation · 5 hours
Define mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate change.. Discuss methods of climate change mitigation, such as afforestation and reforestation.. Assess the effects of climate change mitigation strategies on biodiversity..
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 5: Biodiversity in West Africa (Case Study) · 5 hours
Describe the habitat diversity in West Africa.. Discuss the ecological, economic, and social values of biological resources in West Africa.. Analyze the threats to biodiversity in West Africa, including deforestation and poaching..
- Week 7Module 1:
Unit 1: Concept of Biological Diversity · 5 hours
Review the concept of biological diversity, including species richness, diversity, and endemism.. Discuss the economic, ecological, and social values of biological resources.. Analyze the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss and extinctions..
Unit 2: Economic, Ecological and Social Values of Biological Resources · 5 hours
Review the economic, ecological, and social values of biological resources.. Discuss the environmental benefits of tropical forests and their role in climate regulation.. Analyze the importance of biological resources for local communities and global economies..
- Week 8Module 1:
Unit 3: Biodiversity Loss and Extinctions · 5 hours
Review the causes of biodiversity loss, including habitat destruction and invasive species.. Discuss the consequences of species extinctions on ecosystem functioning.. Analyze the role of human activities in accelerating biodiversity loss..
Unit 4: Biodiversity Conservation Methods · 5 hours
Review in-situ and ex-situ conservation methods.. Discuss the role of government policies and community involvement in conservation.. Analyze the effectiveness of different conservation strategies in protecting biodiversity..
- Week 9Module 2:
Unit 5: Protocol on Biodiversity Conservation · 5 hours
Review the purpose and scope of biodiversity conservation protocols.. Discuss the duties of contracting parties in protecting biodiversity.. Analyze the role of international agreements in biodiversity conservation..
Unit 1: Environmental Pollution and Biodiversity Loss · 5 hours
Review the different types of environmental pollution (air, water, soil).. Discuss the effects of industrial pollution on biodiversity.. Analyze waste management strategies and their impact on ecosystems..
- Week 10Module 2:
Unit 2: Climate Change and Biodiversity · 5 hours
Review the definition of climate change and its difference from global warming.. Discuss the factors driving climate change, including greenhouse gases and human activities.. Analyze the role of glaciers, oceans, and volcanic activity in climate regulation..
Unit 3: Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity · 5 hours
Review the impacts of climate change on species distribution and migration patterns.. Discuss the effects of temperature changes, sea-level rise, and altered rainfall on biodiversity.. Analyze the vulnerability of ecosystems to climate change..
- Week 11Module 2:
Unit 4: Climate Change Mitigation and Biodiversity Conservation · 5 hours
Review mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate change.. Discuss methods of climate change mitigation, such as afforestation and reforestation.. Analyze the effects of climate change mitigation strategies on biodiversity..
Unit 5: Biodiversity in West Africa (Case Study) · 5 hours
Review the habitat diversity in West Africa.. Discuss the ecological, economic, and social values of biological resources in West Africa.. Analyze the threats to biodiversity in West Africa, including deforestation and poaching..
- Week 12Module 1 and Module 2
TMA and Revision · 8 hours
Complete all TMAs. Revise all course materials. Prepare for final examinations.
- Week 13Module 1 and Module 2
TMA and Revision · 8 hours
Complete all TMAs. Revise all course materials. Prepare for final examinations.
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key concepts and definitions.
- Develop concept maps linking the causes of biodiversity loss with potential conservation strategies.
- Practice applying conservation methods to real-world scenarios, such as the West Africa case study.
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback to identify areas for improvement.
- Allocate specific study time for each module, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all units.
- Focus on understanding the relationships between climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
- Prepare concise explanations of international agreements and protocols related to biodiversity conservation.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ESM328 about?
This course provides a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity conservation, exploring the varieties of life at ecosystem, community, species, and genetic levels. It examines ecological formations, principal causes of extinction, and effective conservation methods. The course covers ecological, economic, and social values of biological resources, impacts of pollution and climate change, and conservation efforts in West Africa, equipping students with knowledge to conserve biological resources.
How many units does ESM328 have?
ESM328, Biodiversity Conservation, has 10 units across 2 modules, over 83 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ESM328?
ESM328 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.
Is ESM328 hard?
ESM328 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does ESM328 take to study?
About 156 hours of study, spread across its 10 units.
How is ESM328 assessed?
ESM328 is assessed by Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with ESM328?
Conservation Officer, Environmental Consultant, Wildlife Manager, Environmental Educator and Sustainability Manager.