MRes Wildlife Conservation

Year 1

Semester One

BIOL6048 Wildlife Conservation: Disciplines and Principles - This module will expand and enhance knowledge of the underlying conceptual and theoretical framework required by conservation biologists .You will recognize and demonstrate an understanding of conservation issues along a spectrum ranging from individual animals, through to populations, reintroductions, habitat restoration and anthropogenic sources of conflict.

By the end of this module you will have an understanding of the value and limitations of applying biological principles and disciplines to real-world conservation

BIOL6049 Fieldwork- Before, During and After - Preparatory sessions delivered at Marwell Wildlife will cover aspects such as risk assessment for fieldwork, politics and diplomacy and basic field skills. There is then a 10 day field course to Marwell Wildlife's conservation and research site in Kenya. On returning from the field site, students will present outcomes of group-based short survey project.

BIOL6050 Techniques in monitoring and surveying - This module will outline the value of monitoring wildlife across several levels (individuals, population and communities). You will be introduced to a host of techniques specific to monitoring and surveying wildlife (for example radio tracking, camera trapping, gathering information from local communities, use of standard population management software). You are encouraged to spend independent study time familiarising yourself with the equipmentin order to develop your competence and confidence in their use. Emphasis is placed upon how these approaches are crucial for informing conservation decision-making, relating to wildlife.

BIOL6052 Advanced Quantitative methods - Evidence-based conservation requires quantitative analyses of field data typically collected under imperfectly controlled conditions and across heterogeneous habitats. This module will develop generic skills in (1) the design of data collection protocols, particularly for field experiments and observational studies, and (2) the testing of hypotheses with statistical models.

Semester Two

BIOL6051 MRes Wildlife Conservation research project -In addition to enabling you to complete a substantial piece of independent research (8 months in duration), this module will provide you with training in research methodology and science communication. You will have a supervisory team composed of a Marwell Wildlife Conservation Biologist and a University of Southampton academic. Over the course of four weeks of formative tutorials, you will develop a concept note paper. This will be presented individually to your supervisors and your internal examiners (one from Marwell and one from University of Southampton), followed by a discussion about your proposed project. Following this, data collection for your research will be undertaken at one of Marwell Wildlife's conservation science sites. You will work closely with your supervisory team to ensure that the project outcomes address real identified needs arising from Marwell Wildlife's ongoing conservation work. The project will culminate in a final report, in the style of a peer-reviewed paper, as well as a viva and research presentation to your University and Marwell peers and supervisory teams. There may be the opportunity to refine your work into a draft paper, with your supervisory team, for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Species integrity

Exploring the genetic, behavioural and physiological basis of species allocations, and developing a better understanding of the critical requirements. There is a particular focus on the reintroductions of captive-bred animals and other conservation translocations. Activities include the assessment of the adaptive impacts of captivity in relation to the dynamically changing environments into which animals are released. Ongoing projects currently include: addax genetics in Tunisia; monitoring released scimitar horned oryx, spur thighed tortoises and North African ostrich in Tunisia; developing research on Partula species using Marwell’s new tropical house as a study arena; ongoing research on sand lizard.

Ecosystem function

Drawing on our experiences in UK, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and China, we will explore critical impacts of management on ecosystem function. Using management variability across our numerous sites and our long-term databases, studies to explore dynamic trends, threats and management options to mitigate negative change and maximise benefits will be undertaken. Key research questions about ecosystem management and change, studies on grassland and vegetation management, species movement and landscape connectivity are likely to be priorities.

People and nature

Conservation goals and outcomes can be a common good whilst mindful of the impacts of wildlife conflict, often faced most pointedly by poorer communities, the overarching benefits of functioning ecosystems as our “life support machine” are undeniable. Studies to understand the differing values people attribute to nature and that contribute to development of mechanisms to engage people with conservation in ways that provide benefits to them and wildlife are of critical importance. Marwell’s work in this area includes: community engagement in Northern Kenya in concert with our Grevy’s zebra monitoring and research; working with closely area staff and officials, for example in Tunisia and China.