Conservation and Ecosystem Management

Overview

About this course

You will study biodiversity and conservation in the context of a range of UK ecosystems including woodland, grassland and moor.

You'll develop practical skills in habitat assessment and species identification. You will also expand your academic understanding, contribute to relevant research and meet local practitioners.

The Conservation and Ecosystem Management course is suitable for graduates with a background in ecology, biology and environmental science, but also for people with an interest in wildlife who are seeking a career change towards conservation, habitat management or ecological consultancy.

We have strong links with public and private sector organisations including:

• Northumberland National Park
• Natural England
• local Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• local Wildlife Trusts
• Forestry Commission
• National Trust
• local ecological consultancies

We rank in the top 150 for Environmental Sciences and in the top 100 for Life Sciences and Medicine - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020

You will be taught by lecturers who are experienced in industry and research and who have a passion for sharing their knowledge and experience with students. Fields of interest include:

• moorland dynamics and restoration
• grassland community conservation and ecology
• soil quality and interactions with plants
• sustainable farming systems and agro-ecology
• soil-carbon dynamics
• rewilding
• urban agriculture and greening
• human influences on the distribution of plants and lichens

Helen Adamson is lecturer, Senior Tutor and Degree Programme Director of MSc Conversation and Ecosystem Management She has worked in agro-ecological research in the UK uplands since 1991. Her current research focusses on management techniques to restore biodiversity and ecosystem functioning on blanket and raised bogs. Read her blog and Twitter feed to find out more.

Janet Simkin is a plant ecologist with a particular interest in species-rich grasslands and anthropogenic sites such as churchyards and lead mines. She is also a lichenologist and former President of the British Lichen Society. As well as teaching for Newcastle University, Janet teaches adult education classes in Botany and Ecology for the Natural History Society of Northumbria at the Great North Museum. She is also involved in a number of research projects, including the development of the Whin Sill grassland on the roof of Once Brewed National Park visitors centre. Read her Twitter feed to find out more.

You can choose and develop your own dissertation topic, or we work with you to develop a title. This will ideally be in association with a relevant organisations so that your research has value within the sector and you can build relationships within the industry. Current and recent projects include:

• Reintroduction of grass snakes into Northumberland and Durham – The Wildlife Trust
• Rare plant survey in North East England - Natural England
• Factors that affect lichen distribution –British Lichen Society
• Techniques for restoring bare peat on blanket bog –North Pennines AONB
• Improving (ancient) woodland connectivity in Northumberland –National Park
• Monitoring of threatened calamanarian grassland communities –Natural England
• Use of low-cost technology to monitor red squirrel populations – The National Trust

Your thesis is in the form of a research paper, which can potentially be submitted to a conference or journal.

This course is taught in a block format each block lasting 4 weeks.

You will be taught through:

• lectures and seminars
• practical and field visits
• tutorials
• case studies
• small group discussions
• vocational activities

Independent study outside of these structured sessions is expected. Where possible assessments will be used to develop your employability skills such as:

• presentations: oral or using video skills
• management plans
• consultancy reports
• scientific papers
• group reports
• guided tours of conservation sites
• reflective critical pieces

Exams are avoided wherever possible.

We have two University Farms:

• Cockle Park Farm is a 262ha mixed farm that includes the renowned Palace Leas hay meadow experimental plots
• Nafferton Farm is a 300ha farm with long running organic versus conventional trial plots

The farms have recently entered into an Environmental Stewardship agreement to maintain and enhance important habitats. The farms and facilities are accessible for your project work.

Newcastle is close to some very special natural and man-made habitats. These habitats all have biodiversity interest and many with challenging conservation issues. It is a prime location for study. We are located close to the hills and plains of Northumberland, County Durham and the Lake District.

There will be chances to visit:

• Newcastle University farms
• remote moorlands and bogs
• ancient woodlands
• Kielder Forest
• diverse and threatened grasslands
• rocky and marshy coast 

There are also great rail links to Edinburgh and London.