AD3ESN: Ecosystem Services and Nature-Based Solutions

Module code: AD3ESN

Module provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Laura Girling, email: laura.girling@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 12 September 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module aims to introduce students to the concept of ecosystem services and how nature-based solutions might act to promote their delivery. The module will outline ecosystem ecology and the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function.  It will outline the benefits of ecosystem services to human wellbeing and approaches to the valuation of ecosystem service.  The module will use contemporary case studies illustrating how management can be implemented to optimise ecosystem service delivery, including in the context of adaptation to climate change.  These will cover natural flood management, coastal realignment, urban greenspace, agri-environmental schemes and habitat restoration.  The case studies and accompanying fieldtrips will illustrate the roles of policy, governance and stakeholder engagement in the delivery of nature-based solutions. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Explain the relationship between ecosystem functions and ecosystem services, and critically assess the valuation of ecosystem services. 
2. Describe existing and future policy mechanisms designed to promote ecosystem management favourable to ecosystem service delivery. 
3. Define and give examples of nature-based solutions to optimise ecosystem service delivery.  

Module content

Lectures on ecosystem ecology and the relationship between diversity and function will be complemented by a description of ecosystem dynamics as influenced by human interventions. These topics will be used to build up a detailed picture of the link between ecosystem services and human wellbeing, with further linkages to poverty alleviation, development and nature-based solutions. The module will explain the principles of assessment and valuation of ecosystem services and existing governance structures and policy mechanisms, with a discussion of issues of spatial and temporal scales, location of negative and positive impacts and externalities. The latter part of the module will focus on ecosystem management with study of trade-offs, managing complex systems, participatory ecosystem management. Field visits will illustrate and highlight the contribution of ecosystem services to the provision of stable living environment. Students will be encouraged to participate in group discussions throughout the module.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The principles and underlying rationale of ecosystem services will be covered during lectures. Seminars will be used to illustrate the lecture material with contemporary case studies drawn from a number of contexts (urban, agricultural, coastal, riverine, forests).  Two field visits are planned to illustrate the function and contribution of ecosystem services in contrasting environments. 

Study hours

At least 44 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs