Postgraduate Course: Biogeography and Conservation of Plants and Fungi (PLSC11009)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This holistic course explores plant and fungal diversity and conservation in their geographical contexts. From global evolutionary questions to local modern conservation challenges, the course covers historical biogeography, evolution, plant movements and the techniques used in research and the policy and practice of plant and fungal conservation. |
| Course description |
Biologists have sought to understand patterns of species distribution, richness and endemism across the globe for over two centuries, a field of enquiry called biogeography. Biogeography is the study of species distributions in time (past, current and future) and space (from local to global scales). It is a fascinating field tackling some of the most fundamental questions in biology and biodiversity, and is of crucial importance at the intersection of the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis. Biogeographic research is essential for planning effective conservation strategies and being able to predict how organisms will react to anthropogenic environmental change. The overall aim of this course is to provide students with the necessary understanding and tools to look at plants and other organisms in their geographical contexts and use these to inform evolutionary interpretation and conservation practices.
Teaching on the course has a strong applied focus and consists of a mixture of lectures and practicals. The main focus is plant biogeography and conservation but many of the approaches and issues that are covered are transferable to other groups of organisms.
This course provides a background to the discipline of plant geography, including an account of its history, overview of basic concepts, as well as explanations of current analytical biogeographic methods used in the three main fields of biogeography (historic, ecological and conservation). The conservation component of the course explores global challenges, current conservation issues, conservation policies and mechanisms. Students will learn about different types of conservation interventions and their pros and cons, drawing on examples from many parts of the world and covering both in- and ex-situ conservation. This is followed by an introduction to several state-of-the-art techniques that are used to prioritise areas and species for conservation - including GIS, Red List assessments, Species Distribution Modelling, and an introduction to (biodiversity) survey planning and data analysis. The course therewith provides students with transferable skills.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2026/27, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 30,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 36,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
130 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Biogeography research proposal (50%). A formal, structured research proposal on a biogeographical topic, with a requirement to give biogeographical and evolutionary context for the work [LO1, LO2, LO3].
Conservation assignment (50%). Choice of GIS assignment or conservation essay, with both requiring reciprocal interpretation (e.g. conservation essay requires a GIS element; GIS assignment relates to a conservation scenario) [LO1, LO4, LO5]. |
| Feedback |
Biogeography research proposal: Verbal formative feedback through development phase, and written summative feedback for final grade.
Conservation assignment: Written summative feedback for final grade. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of the development and scope of historical, ecological and conservation biogeography and conservation practice, the associated links between global challenges and the ethical considerations across the disciplines.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of theories about the processes driving the distribution of species and biomes globally.
- Develop an original and creative biogeography-based research proposal with a clear aim and objectives.
- Critically review and analyse different conservation approaches, tools, practical challenges, policies and ethics.
- Apply specialist mapping skills and interpretation for conservation applications.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
This course develops and supports graduate mindsets, with a particular emphasis on: Enquiry and lifelong learning, Aspiration and personal development.
This course develops and supports graduate skills, with a particular emphasis on Research and enquiry, and Personal and intellectual autonomy.
This course and its assessments emphasise skills development in: Analysis, Evaluation, Critical Analysis, Problem Solving, IT Skills and Autonomy. |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Alex Twyford
Tel: (0131 6)50 5455
Email: Alex.Twyford@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Madeleine Ferris
Tel: (0131 6)50 8649
Email: mferris@ed.ac.uk |
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