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HORT40140

Academic Year 2026/2027

Biodiversity and Environmental Horticulture (HORT40140)

Subject:
Horticulture
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Nikolaos Mastrodimos
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Globally it is recognised that there is a biodiversity and climate crisis. The world is changing its perceptions of horticulture, landscapes, gardening, parklands and local landscapes and we are moving towards valuing local species and more 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 the global level with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to the European and national level. At the European level we will look at the new nature restoration law and how it relates to national level targets we will review and discuss how horticulture can help implementation of the new Nature restoration law and National Biodiversity Action plan targets and how these targets relate to horticulture, rural development, businesses, and individuals. National case studies and current research into biodiversity, environmental and conservation horticulture will be outlined. We will also look at one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss in Ireland invasive plant species. 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.

About this Module

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
* Invasive alien plant species regulations in Ireland and current threats to biodiversity
* Developing nature based solutions to stormier and wetter weather – wind amelioration, carbon sequestration, water management.
*Amenity grassland management – managing natural and semi natural grasslands in environmental and biodiversity friendly way
* Green spaces for health and well-being
* Business owners and Biodiversity
* Horticulture and the conservation of biodiversity
*New green spaces - Rain gardens, green walls & green roofs, interior landscaping
* Managing Community projects, gardens and allotments

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

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 Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): MCQ Classroom assessment - 1 hour exam Week 8 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No
Exam (In-person): End of trimester examination - 2 hour exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
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.

Name Role
Dr Paula Munoz Roldan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Aisling Reilly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tony Twamley 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) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 Fri 14:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 15:00 - 15:50
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