If you are thinking about studying Aquatic Ecosystems and Fishery Management in September, there are a number of things you can do to prepare.

To be a great environmentalist or conservationist, you will need to develop the ability to think synoptically, being able to see the greater overview and how everything we study links together. Aquatic Science is not just about the studying habitats, species and waterbodies, it is also the relationships that exists between species and their environment.

How can I develop before September?

Below are some links to podcasts, websites, books and even films which provide a great way of staying inspired and engaged with the course content:

Podcasts:

• BBC – podcast topics include: climate change, carbon, urban greening, deforestation, alternative powers, and plastics
• Marine Conservation Happy Hour
• So you want to be a marine biologist 

Books:

Brush up on your species identification. There are many books on the market that help you identify freshwater and marine species. Pocket guides are usually a good place to start.

There are also a wide range of environmental conservation books available on a number of different topics, focus on something you are interested in and find out more information.

Magazines

• Discover Wildlife
• Practical Fishkeeping

Documentaries:

There are some great documentaries which will help develop your general knowledge and understanding.

The following are all available online:

• David Attenborough Box Sets – there are 9 amazing boxsets available on iPlayer from David Attenborough exploring our amazing world
• Sharkwater Extinction
• The End of the Line
• Blackfish
• Joanna Lumley’s Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti
• Before the Flood – a film presented by Leonardo DiCaprio, exploring climate change and looking at what needs to be done today to prevent catastrophic disruption
• Our Planet – Netflix series exploring how climate change impacts all living creatures

Watching the news: 

You should be regularly watching the news to keep you up-to-date with what is happening in relations to the inter-relationship between people and the environment. You will be really surprised how many of the news bulletins relate to what you are studying.

• BBC News – an excellent source of up to date articles. Explore headings such as science, UK and world
• The Guardian – again many useful articles and logically ordered. Keep an eye on the environment, science, society and global development stories in particular
• The Conversation – up-to-date articles from academics and specialists in the field written in a way that is accessible to all, summarising the key points in a short but insightful articles