Portfolio of practical work including field work related activities such as site evaluations, simulated consultancy exercises, and student-led presentations - equivalent to 3000 words [Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6] (100%)

Additional Assessment Details: as this module concentrates on delivering practical based material it is felt to be more appropriate to assess it entirely by coursework.


Formative assessment: opportunities will be available for students to receive formative feedback during workshop sessions and student-led presentations on site evaluation plans and simulated consultancy exercises.

Appropriate information available from the library, Internet and the Earth Heritage boxfiles kept in the Learning Resource Centre.

Assimilation of knowledge by attendance in lectures (10 hours). Oral communication and IT skills will be developed by participation in student-led presentations and by discussions within tutorials and group seminars (10 hours). Active participation in practical work (10 hours) and field work tasks (10 hours) either independently or in groups (numbers permitting). Research skills will be honed by the selective acquisition of relevant data derived from established peer-reviewed sources, including the literature. Presentation skills will be enhanced through the production of a variety of coursework submissions.

This module aims to make students aware of the importance of geological and geomorphological conservation in the Earth Heritage context, and considers how this may be achieved primarily within British society where the demand for land for a multitude of different purposes is constantly changing. It includes consideration of the following topics: the infrastructure to Geoconservation; statutory and non-statutory organisations; SSSIs, RIGS, NNRs and Geoparks; site selection frameworks and typical site categories; legislation and the site selection process; potentially damaging operations (PDOs) and threats to conserved sites; Earth science site classification scheme; Geological and geomorphological conservation techniques; site management and development; education and public awareness; land management and the resolution of potential conflicts of interest between landowners, landusers and developers (especially quarrying companies), the planning authorities and the conservation agencies; dynamic conservation and the benefits of compromise in a changing world; public enquiries; Earth science conservation beyond the UK (Europe and the rest of the world - World Heritage Sites); field visits to local RIGS and / or SSSIs and / or NNRs (normally either 1or 2 days fieldwork) .

None

Wilson, C. (1994) Earth Heritage Conservation.
O'Halloran, D. et al. (1994) Geological and Landscape Conservation. Geological Society of London.
Nature Conservancy Council (1990) Earth Science Conservation in Great Britain: A Strategy (2 vols).
English Nature, Peterborough.
Ellis, N.V. (ed.) (1996) An Introduction to the Geological Conservation Review. JNCC, Peterborough.
Gray, M. (2004) Geodiversity: Valuing and Conserving Abiotic Nature. Wiley, Chichester
Page, K. et al. (1998) Earth Heritage Site Interpretation in England - A review of the principle techniques with case studies. English Nature Research Report No. 176. English Nature, Peterborough.
Prosser, C et al (2006) Geological Conservation: A Guide to Good Practice. Natural England. English Nature. Peterborough.