Environment Ecology and Development

Environment, Ecology and Development3rd year Option CourseRubricThe impact of social and economic transformations, and technological development on people, the environment and ecology in the Tropics. Historical perspectives, present day impacts and future scenarios will be examined. The course will in particular explore the continuing impact of colonization, and colonial policies on the environment, discuss problems relating to sustainability in marginal environments, water based development schemes and examine the roles of indigenous environmental knowledge, intellectual property rights and biotechnology.

Taught in TB2 (spring), 30 Credits Taught by 1 hr lecture and 2 hr seminar/week Assessment Geography Students 5000 word Dissertation:ID Students 7000 word Dissertation. This difference is for the current year only and is because geography students undertake a free standing 10,000 word UG Thesis which final year ID students will not undertake until next year

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Environment, Ecology and DevelopmentTopics include: The ecological basis of agricultural production systems. Environmental consequences of the development of irrigation and HEP systems.Mountain environments and development. Development related environmental change and disease. Water resources, international rivers and water conflicts. Floods, droughts, desertification and famine. Wildlife Conservation: Parks, people, tourism and development. Coastal zone development: Environmental impacts and hazards. Coastal management and marine conservation. Ecological imperialism: Environmental impacts of species transfers & invasions. Biotechnology: Environmental threat or guarantee for a food secure world. Climate change, development and the futureEnvironment, Ecology and DevelopmentNo pre-requisitesSuitable for students from either a social or more science based background BA or BSc Geographers and International Development.Focus is on socio-political impacts of development related environmental change as much as on the environmental issues themselvesWide-ranging content that covers agriculture, water/irrigation, health and wildlife conservation issuesWide geographic range of environments, particularly marginal environments mountains, deserts, coastsMany of the issues are global and therefore examples drawn not solely from the developing world