HORT40140 Biodiversity and Environmental

Academic Year 2024/2025

Globally there is a biodiversity and climate crisis and the world is changing its perceptions of landscapes, gardening, parklands and local landscapes and we are moving towards valuing local species, nature based solutions for climate mitigation and supporting and conserving local species and biodiversity. We will discuss the origin of the term biodiversity introduce you to the policy and legal framework from global level with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to the national level. At the national level we will review and discuss implementation of the new National Biodiversity Action plan targets and how these targets relate to horticulture, rural development, businesses, organisations and individuals. National case studies and current research into biodiversity, environmental and conservation horticulture will be outlined. The course will focus on how we can work in partnerships with architects, planners, engineers, landscape schemes, ecologists, health & social work professionals, schools and local communities to incorporate biodiversity. Horticulture in support of local biodiversity is being used to help to restore ecological functions, plant landscapes which can support pollinators and biodiversity and promote nature-based solutions to climate change while educating all on the value of our natural environments for our physical and mental health.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to discuss the following:
* Global and national biodiversity and environmental policy
* Planting schemes to promote biodiversity – mammals, birds, amphibians, invertebrates etc.
* Planting for pollinators and the All-Ireland Pollinator plan
* Developing nature based solutions to stormier and wetter weather – wind amelioration, carbon sequestration, water management.
* Dealing with current threats to biodiversity and the environment such as Invasive Alien species
*Amenity grassland management – manging natural and semi natural grasslands in environmental and biodiversity friendly way
* Green spaces for health and well-being
* Horticulture and the conservation of biodiversity
*New green spaces - Rain gardens, green walls & green roofs, interior landscaping
* Managing Community projects, gardens and allotments

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Lectures

50
Total

134
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered through the UCD VLE system and will consist of:
* Lectures
* Group discussions
* In class quizzes
* Site visits
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Group work assignment incorporating biodiversity and environmental considerations into set case study situations in urban and rural areas. Using national policy documents to inform actions. Week 6 Graded No

30

 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: In class set of short questions with some problem solving scenarios Week 10 Graded No

30

 No
Exam (In-person): End of trimester examination - 2 hour exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No

40

 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback individually to students, post-assessment - This can be through different approaches such as oral, audio, video and/or written/annotated feedback, either in-class, out of class, in meetings, through the VLE, by email, using rubrics, etc.