Teaching Responsibility
LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:
LJMU Partner Taught
Learning Methods
Lecture
Practical
Seminar
Module Offerings
7513CATSCI-JAN-PAR
Aims
Study the role of ecosystems in sustainability with a focus on their role in biogeochemical cycling, as a sink for carbon and for providing other ecosystem functions. Investigate methods of restoration of habitats, including at landscape and global scales. Appreciate methods of setting restoration goals and assessing the success of restoration projects. Analyse the theoretical science and practical implications of species reintroductions, rewilding and invasive species control. Examine the value of policy, community involvement and public support, health and wellbeing, in habitat restoration and management.
Learning Outcomes
1.
Critically evaluate methods for restoring ecological functions and debate restoration goals at local, national and international scales and in natural, semi natural and peri-urban environments.
2.
Undertake complex analyses of the theory, practical implications and complexities around restoring habitats with a focus on the effectiveness of rewilding projects, the reintroduction of species and removal of invasive species.
3.
Evaluate real-world habitat and ecosystem scale restoration projects, taking into account conservation biology targets as well as social, political and economic implications to critically evaluate their success.
Module Content
Outline Syllabus:Ecosystem change over time and space, biodiversity and connectedness, stabilization wedges, land sparing v land sharing debate. The science behind rewilding, reintroduction and management of invasive species, phytoremediation and restoration of peri-urban spaces. The role of communities, impact of restoration on communities and economies, and the impact of national and international legislation.
Additional Information:Indicative References:
Corlett, R.T., 2016. Restoration, reintroduction, and rewilding in a changing world. Trends in ecology & evolution, 31(6), pp.453-462.
Isbell, F., Craven, D., Connolly, J., Loreau, M., Schmid, B., Beierkuhnlein, C., Bezemer, T.M., Bonin, C., Bruelheide, H., De Luca, E. and Ebeling, A., 2015. Biodiversity increases the resistance of ecosystem productivity to climate extremes. Nature, 526(7574), p.574.
Leitao, R.P., Zuanon, J., Villéger, S., Williams, S.E., Baraloto, C., Fortunel, C., Mendonça, F.P. and Mouillot, D., 2016. Rare species contribute disproportionately to the functional structure of species assemblages. Proc. R. Soc. B, 283(1828), p.20160084.
Miller, J.R. and Hobbs, R.J., 2007. Habitat restoration—Do we know what we’re doing?. Restoration Ecology, 15(3), pp.382-390.
POST (2016) Rewilding and Ecosystem Services, report http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/POST-PN-0537/POST-PN-0537.pdf