CPD modules

Module information

This online CPD award is delivered by a tutor with over 18 years combined experience in water resources regulation, flood management and climate change impact assessment. The course explores the way our water use has been managed up to now and looks at how, under a changing climate, adaptation strategies are being developed to cope with an increasingly variable resource.

The course is aimed at staff either employed directly by, or as consultants to, water-related industries such as public water supply, hydropower, beverages (including brewing and distilleries) and agriculture. It is particularly suitable for those employed as environmental managers, water resource practitioners, hydrologists and environmental scientists.  It also provides relevant CPD for government agency staff such as the environment and conservation agencies where their remit includes the water environment.

It can help those with an interest in water management understand the background against which the regulation of the water environment has been set and explores the way all stakeholders have a role to play in securing the benefits we get from a healthy water environment both now and in the future as we adapt to climate change.

Special features

• Explore concepts of sustainable water management from both theoretical and practical viewpoints, including best practice case studies of how the needs of the water user can be met without compromising the benefits that a healthy water environment provides to our society.
• Using the latest projections for the UK, the course provides an in-depth assessment of how climate change could impact the availability of water for a range of uses and looks at how we can adapt to this.
• Flexible study: this module is delivered fully online and is based around a weekly presentation posted on the virtual learning environment along with accompanying learning resources such as papers and web links. You will also use web resources, including videos and interactive web sites, for extracting and analysing environmental data.
• The course benefits from a themed weekly discussion board between students, accompanied by a number of optional Webex tutorials which will consider topical water-related issues.
• Whilst the course focuses on examples from Scotland and the rest of the UK, it sets these within the wider European and global contexts. Examples of good practice from around the world are used and students from outside of the UK routinely contribute with their local experiences.

If you decide later that you would like to apply for the full MSc course, then this 20-credit module will count towards it.

If you have any questions about the module, email: info.cms.perth@uhi.ac.uk

CPD Award Water Resources in a Changing Climate (uhi.ac.uk)

Module learning outcomes

• Understand the basic components and processes of the water cycle and the different methods used to monitor and analyse these in terms of both water resource quantity and quality
• Understand what is meant by water resources and gain detailed knowledge on the range of water resource issues common within the rural and mountain environments such as pollution, floods and droughts.
• Understand the projected impacts of climate change on water resources and demonstrate a critical awareness of how moving to Net Zero is expected to influence our use of water.
• Using relevant case studies, critically assess the potential of tools used in water management and climate change adaptation

Module outline

1. Introduction – The importance of water for human development.  Understanding the risks from climate change.
2. The hydrological cycle
3. Measurement and modelling of water resources
4. Water as a resource: Water quantity
5. Water as a resource: Water quality
6. The impacts of a changing climate on water resources and flooding:  Past trends and future projections
7. Water management 1: EU, UK and Scottish institutions, legislation and policy; Managing water for sustainable economic development
8. Water management 2:  Floods.  Generation, detection, warning and planning
9. Water management 3:  Droughts.  Generation, detection, warning and planning
10. Water management 4:  Managing water for ecology.
11. Catchment management to mitigate the climate emergency. Habitat restoration and nature based solutions.  Water for renewable energy.
12. Adapting to a future climate.  Addressing water demand and water quality impacts. Flood avoidance and protection. 

2024-25 Fee

The 2024/25 fee is:

£584 (Scottish students)

£780 (Rest of UK)

CPD Award Water Resources in a Changing Climate (uhi.ac.uk)

Entry requirements

• Honours degree, or ordinary degree in a relevant subject
• Postgraduate diploma or professional qualification in a relevant subject
• Other qualifications will be considered if accompanied by a minimum of three years' relevant professional experience

Apply

Apply online to start on 2 September 2024: CPD Award Water Resources in a Changing Climate (uhi.ac.uk)

Module information

The module reflects the growing demand for ‘sustainable’ deer management – uniting both the sporting elements of deer management and environmental or conservation-based approaches to deer management.  We encourage professionals working in areas related to deer or general estate management across the UK and Ireland to enrol.

The course covers a range of areas, including:

• the policy and institutional context for deer management in Scotland;
• deer ecology and behaviour (including population dynamics);
• deer management planning; and
• a review of the science behind deer management.

The course is delivered in an online, flexible learning format, including PDFs, web pages and video recordings.  Students participate in debates about deer management on the course discussions, as well as submitting two academic assignments (one essay and one report).  

It is an exciting opportunity for those wishing to learn about applied deer management and offers academic recognition for those already practising sustainable deer management.

The module is taught by Dr Rosalind Bryce and will run from 20 January 2025 to early-May 2025.

Contact info.cms.perth@uhi.ac.uk for further information

Module outline

Changes may be made to the module outline prior to the next delivery

Lecture 1 Background, wider context and drivers for SDM

• Introduction to general background for SDM in Scotland
• The wider sustainability agenda
• Public and private values in deer management
• Multifunctional land management (wider land use context for SDM) and ecosystem services agenda
• Explanation of ecosystem approach ecosystem services
• Implications of ecosystem approach for deer management
• Historical context and implications of changing landownership dynamics
• Implications of climate change
• Key criteria for sustainable deer management

Lecture 2 Social and economic dimensions of SDM

• Culture and tradition in deer management
• Importance of social values/public interest in deer management
• Socio-economic importance of deer management and stalking – benefits to rural economy/society
• Socio-economic impacts of deer and their management (management costs/road accidents/forestry and agricultural impacts)/stakeholder conflicts/access
• Maximising social and economic benefits and minimising costs: diversifying stalking markets; venison marketing and added value
• Deer welfare
• Disease control
• Community and stakeholder involvement in deer management decision making processes
• Role of awareness raising and education about deer management and stalking

Lecture 3 Policy and institutional framework for SDM

• Historical and current changes in the wider policy context for SDM
• Wider policy framework: General explanation of: Sustainable development policy/EU Habitats Directive, Common Agricultural Policy and other relevant areas.
• Scottish Policy: Discussion of relevance of National Performance Framework/Sustainable Development Strategy/Climate Change Act/land Use Strategy/Agricultural and Forestry Strategies/Scottish Biodiversity Strategy/Nature Conservation Act/Designated sites
• Deer focused policy and the institutional framework: Key aspects of the Deer (Scotland) Act (1996) and Wild Deer in Scotland a Long term Vision (DCS) and Scotland’s Wild Deer a National Approach
• Joint Agency working Discussion of Joint agency working on fencing, designated sites etc.
• Code of Practice on Deer Management (key measures/implications)
• The changing institutional context for deer management
• Key future issues for deer management and policy in Scotland

Lecture 4 Deer biology, behaviour and distribution

• General deer biology
• Biology and distribution of main deer species in UK
• Red Deer and Roe deer: Biology, behaviour and distribution in Scotland and factors affecting biology/distribution
• Discussion of the hybridisation of sika and red deer
• Potential future impact of non-native deer species

Lecture 5 Deer Populations: Dynamics, performance and response to management

• Range, size and structure of red deer populations in Scotland, including population trends and drivers
• The key factors affecting performance and dynamics of deer populations; including impacts of population density on fecundity and mortality rates (results from long term population studies)
• Response of deer populations to management
• Using scientific data to model red deer population dynamics (for cull target setting)

Lecture 6 Red deer and upland ecosystems (the natural heritage)

• Description of the ecosystem context for red deer in the Scottish Highlands; the focus in this lecture will be on open ground habitats
• Habitat use and ecological function of deer in upland ecosystems
• Ecological impacts of deer in upland ecosystems
• Red deer impacts in the context of other grazing herbivores
• Conclusions and implications for management

Lectures 7 and 8 Deer, forestry and native woodlands

• Extent of forestry and native woodlands in the uplands and changes in management approaches
• Extent (increase) of deer populations in Scottish forests and woodlands
• Deer performance in woodlands
• Current and potential impacts of deer on forestry and woodlands
• Mechanisms by which deer impact on forests and woodlands
• Factors affecting severity of impacts
• Specific impacts on semi-natural native woodlands
• Specific impacts on (commercial/multifunctional) forestry
• Managing deer in a forestry and woodlands context: pros and cons of fencing and culling in semi-natural native woodlands; forest design for wildlife management; Costs of deer control (fencing and culling), economic costs of damage to timber resource

Lecture 9 Putting science into practice; principles and practice of SDM

• Estimating/monitoring deer populations - Comparison of count methods
• Assessing impacts of deer populations (Habitat Impact Assessments)
• Keeping records - cull records and setting cull targets
• Best practice in the use of fencing
• Personnel training/skills development
• Habitat manipulation (diversionary feeding/browse plots/substitution)
• SNH Best Practice Guidelines

Lecture 10 Deer management planning and deer management groups

• Different plan scales and the importance of a multi-scale approach (e.g. Region, Deer Management Group, Individual landowner, forest plantation/woodland)
• Focus and structure of Deer Management Plans
• Stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution
• Spatial elements (mapping) and costings
• Deer Management Plan case study examples
• Rationale for Deer Management Groups (DMGs)
• Operation/functioning of DMGs
• Strengths and weaknesses of DMGs and their future role

Lecture 11 International dimensions of deer management

• Case studies of deer management will be compared and contrasted in an international context
• Drawing lessons from different models of deer management

Lecture 12 Deer management and integrated land use

• Interaction of deer populations with different land uses
• Contrasting upland and lowland deer management
• Managing deer in urban areas
• Potential impact of land use change on deer population e.g. forest expansion, rewilding
• Future approaches to managing deer and making links to wider wildlife and ecosystem management

Watch a video about the deer module

Q&A with Dr Rosalind Bryce, Sustainable Deer Management module leader - YouTube

2024-25 Fee

£584 (Scottish students)

£780 (Rest of UK)

Entry requirements

• Honours degree, or ordinary degree in a relevant subject
• Postgraduate diploma or professional qualification in a relevant subject
• Other qualifications will be considered if accompanied by a minimum of three years' relevant professional experience

Apply

Apply to start on 20 January 2025