IYBD at UCL: Conserving our fragile coast

The United Nations has declared 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity (IYBD) ? a chance to celebrate and safeguard the diversity of life on Earth. Biodiversity embraces every every plant, animal and micro-organism, and sustains the ecosystems that provide us with food, fuel, health, wealth, and other vital services. UCL's wide-ranging research promotes a profound understanding of its importance and seeks new ways to preserve the richness of the natural world. In this film, students from the university's groundbreaking MSc in Conservation gain a first-hand understanding of the problems they must confront in their efforts to protect biodiversity. Course tutor Dr Peter Jones leads them along the sea wall of the Blackwater Estuary in Essex, examining the dilemma facing this fragile ecosystem. This year UCL's MSc in Conservation celebrated a half century of shaping policy and practice. It is widely recognised as the leading course in the country for aspiring conservation professionals and has launched the careers of many influential thinkers.