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AESC40440

Academic Year 2025/2026

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (AESC40440)

Subject:
Agricultural&Environmental Sci
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Helen Sheridan
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

In this module the significance of biodiversity in facilitating ecosystem services will be explored in detail, with particular empahsis on those services that underpin agricultural production systems e.g. soil formation, structure and fertility; sward productivity, and pollination. The causes of biodiversity loss will be examined and the potential consequences, particularly for human welfare, of this decline discussed. It will explore the failures of current agricultural practices to fully exploit the ecological and production advantages of more diverse systems. Participants will also be introduced to the objectives and findings of key research programmes and policy initiatives in this area.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Understand the ecological significance of biodiversity and the causes of global biodiversity loss.
2. Appreciate the necessity for biodiversity conservation, particularly in relation to agricultural production systems.
3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the key challenges associated with biodiversity conservation both at gobal and national scales.
4. Explain the principles of management strategies that can help restore the benefits of biodiversity within agro-ecosystems, particularly in relation to improvement of soil functions, crop production and pollination.

Indicative Module Content:

Key topics that will be addressed during this module include:
Reasons for and implications of biodiversity loss.
Provisioning, Supporting, Regulating and Cultural Ecosystem services and how these relate to agricultural production systems.
Threats to biodiversity
Major policy and legislative initiatives to protect and enhance biodiversity
Multispecies swards
Soil biodiversity
Pollination

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Specified Learning Activities

30
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Total

102

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be taught through a series of lectures.

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
Assignment(Including Essay): Individual essay on specified topic. Week 8 Graded No
50
 No
Exam (In-person): In class test in week 4. Week 4 Graded No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Finbarr Horgan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Olaf Schmidt Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Brian Tobin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4 Mon 11:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4 Wed 12:00 - 13:50
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