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
.
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