Module: Biodiversity and Conservation
Coursework type: Article (scientific article)
Word Limit: 1000
Learning outcomes for task:
– Assimilate and apply the different criteria for designation of conservation status (to both species and habitats) at a local and global scale
– Appraise the different paradigms and approaches that underpin conservation theory and practice
Task:
Species Conservation Article
Particular emphasis is based on use of articles from appropriate journals.
Produce a short article in the style of a popular scientific journal to answer the following question:
outline the main conservation strategies that have attempted to date and evaluate how effective these have been. Use this as a basis to draw up a realistic conservation strategy for the species for the near future (next 10 years).
Specifically, it should include and address the following:
– A statement of those features of the species’ biology/ecology which are relevance to its rarity/vulnerability
– The species’ current conservation status, existing protection (if any) and threats to future survival
– Proposed conservation measures and an evaluation of their effectiveness
– In formulating your conservation strategy, you might, where appropriate, consider drawing on general conservation theory, and specific efforts with other suitable species, to suggest some additional (but realistic) strategies that have not already been attempted.
Source materials: recent issues of journals such as Conservation Biology, Biological Conservation, Oikos and Journal of Applied Ecology, most of which should be accessible through search engines. Magazines such as BBC Wildlife, Natural World, New Scientist may also provide useful starting points, as will books available.
While sources should be used to gather factual material, the interpretation of this should be original. Rather than simply reproducing the general conclusions of others, try and make your own critical appraisal of the evidence, whilst ensuring this is grounded in what is feasible and realistic.
This article should be written in the style of a popular but scientifically robust Journal (e.g. New Scientist; National Geographic). The article note may contain relevant diagrams and images. It must be no longer than four pages and must not be over 1100 words. The text font size must be minimum 10 point, and margins must be minimum 2cm. the note must contain a reference list. The reference list should be within the four page limit but is EXCLUDED from the overall word count.