HORT40140
Source: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=MODULE&MODULE=HORT40140&TERMCODE=202500&ACYR=2026 Parent: https://hub.ucd.ie/usis/!W_HU_MENU.P_PUBLISH?p_tag=COURSE&MAJR=HLS6&AUDIENCE=
Academic Year 2025/2026
Biodiversity and Environmental Horticulture (HORT40140)
Subject: : Horticulture
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 4 (Masters)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr Noeleen Smyth
Trimester: : Autumn
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
Globally it is recognised that there is a biodiversity and climate crisis. The world is changing its perceptions of horticulture, landscapes, gardening, parklands and local landscapes and we are moving towards valuing local species and more nature based solutions for climate mitigation and supporting and conserving local species and biodiversity. We will discuss the origin of the term biodiversity introduce you to the policy and legal framework from the global level with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to the European and national level. At the European level we will look at the new nature restoration law and how it relates to national level targets we will review and discuss how horticulture can help implementation of the new Nature restoration law and National Biodiversity Action plan targets and how these targets relate to horticulture, rural development, businesses, and individuals. National case studies and current research into biodiversity, environmental and conservation horticulture will be outlined. We will also look at one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss in Ireland invasive plant species. The course will focus on how we can work in partnerships with architects, planners, engineers, landscape schemes, ecologists, health & social work professionals, schools and local communities to incorporate biodiversity. Horticulture in support of local biodiversity is being used to help to restore ecological functions, plant landscapes which can support pollinators and biodiversity and promote nature-based solutions to climate change while educating all on the value of our natural environments for our physical and mental health.\
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to discuss the following: \ * Global and national biodiversity and environmental policy \ * Planting schemes to promote biodiversity – mammals, birds, amphibians, invertebrates etc. \ * Planting for pollinators and the All-Ireland Pollinator plan \ * Invasive alien plant species regulations in Ireland and current threats to biodiversity\ * Developing nature based solutions to stormier and wetter weather – wind amelioration, carbon sequestration, water management. \ *Amenity grassland management – managing natural and semi natural grasslands in environmental and biodiversity friendly way \ * Green spaces for health and well-being \ * Business owners and Biodiversity \ * Horticulture and the conservation of biodiversity \ *New green spaces - Rain gardens, green walls & green roofs, interior landscaping \ * Managing Community projects, gardens and allotments \
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Specified Learning Activities | 24 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 60 |
| Lectures | 50 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 134 |
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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will be delivered through the UCD VLE system and will consist of:\ * Lectures \ * Group discussions \ * In class quizzes\ * Site visits \
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Not applicable to this module.
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Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module. \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam (In-person): End of trimester examination - 2 hour exam | End of trimester Duration: 2 hr(s) | Graded | No | 40 | No |
| Group Work Assignment: Group work assignment incorporating biodiversity and environmental considerations into set case study situations in urban and rural areas. Using national policy documents to inform actions. | Week 6 | Graded | No | 30 | No |
| Quizzes/Short Exercises: In class set of short questions with some problem solving scenarios | Week 10 | Graded | No | 30 | No |
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Carry forward of passed components
No
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What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Spring | No |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Feedback individually to students, post-assessment - This can be through different approaches such as oral, audio, video and/or written/annotated feedback, either in-class, out of class, in meetings, through the VLE, by email, using rubrics, etc.
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr Paula Munoz Roldan | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Aisling Reilly | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
When is this module offered?
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 | Fri 14:00 - 16:50 |
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Tues 15:00 - 15:50 |