Subject 4

[ Agricultural Threats ] [ Climate Change & Agriculture ] [ Change in Habitats ] [ Change in Species ] [ Basic Conservation Measures ] [ GMO's ]

Also see the webpages for the Jo'burg World Summit and the Commission on Sustainable Development

The Convention on Biological Diversity, a product of the Rio Earth Summit of 1992, committed signatories to develop national strategies for the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity, or to adapt existing programmes to that end. The UK Government published its own strategy in 1994 - Biodiversity: The UK Action Plan (DoE, 1994).

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan is the most significant nature conservation initiative in the UK in recent times. The Plan is revolutionary in combining new and existing nature conservation initiatives with its emphasis on a partnership approach. The aim is to conserve and enhance plants, animals and habitats, promote public awareness and contribute to international conservation efforts. Natural England, Environment Agency and Forestry Commission and many other organizations from across all sectors are committed to achieving the plan's nature conservation goals over the next 20 years and beyond. 

CLICK HERE for more details on Biodiversity Action Plan

Subject List

Agricultural Threats: Changing farming systems and the environmental challenge

Learning outcomes:

1. Describe why farming systems have changed rapidly in the last 50 years

2. Outline the mechanisms and processes associated with this change process

Climate change: The effects of climate change on agriculture

Learning outcomes:

1. Explain the main principles associated with the greenhouse effect

2. Suggest the consequences of climatic change for UK agriculture

Change in habitats: The effects of agriculture on habitats

Learning outcomes:

1. Quantify the change in UK habitats and the processes involved

2. Explain the wider environmental implications of these changes

Change in species: The effects of agriculture on flora and fauna

Learning outcomes:

1.   Quantify trends in the numbers of five of  Britain's more notable flora and fauna

Basic conservation measures: Field margins, headlands & beetle banks

Learning outcomes:

1. Application of conservation methods to a known arable field

Genetically modified organisms: Outside links, illustrating conflicting facts and opinions

Learning outcomes:

1. Outline the reasons for the the current vociferous debate on Genetically Modified Organisms

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