Dr Noel Kingsbury

RHS Level 2: Biodiversity

Course Description

The Biodiversity course in RHS Level 2: Principles of Plant Growth and Development covers how horticulturalists can use their plant knowledge, planting styles and plant selections to enhance biodiversity.

This course is part of the new RHS Level 2 syllabus, and is only available as part of the complete RHS Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Plant Growth and Development collection of courses.

You’ll learn about the food chain, the relationships between primary and secondary consumers, the impacts of climate change on plants.

We’ll look at the importance of habitats within horticultural sites, the role of citizen science projects to monitor biodiversity and the concept and impacts of biodiversity action plans.

Course outline

  • Plants and biodiversity

    You’ll learn about the food chain, the reliance on plants and how your plant selection can impact biodiversity.

  • Impact of climate change

    We’ll look at the impact of climate change on plants and climate change considerations when selecting plants.

  • Creating habitats

    You’ll learn how horticulturalists can make a difference to wildlife by creating habitats.

    We’ll look at how gardens can be designed and maintained to encourage wildlife.

  • Citizen science and species surveys

    Using examples like the RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch we’ll look at how the public are identifying and recording wildlife and the benefits of encouraging wildlife in communities.

  • Biodiversity Action Plans

    We’ll learn about Biodiversity Action Plans, and their impact on garden maintenance and horticulture.

Gardening classroom - how it works

  • Start anytime

    Watch video tutorials led by expert tutors

    Watch video tutorials led by expert tutors
  • Test yourself

    Practice what you learn with inspiring assignments

    Practice what you learn with inspiring assignments
  • Personal tuition

    Get assignment feedback from expert tutors

    Get assignment feedback from expert tutors
  • Share ideas

    Collaborate and chat directly to classmates

    Collaborate and chat directly to classmates

Meet Dr Noel Kingsbury

Dr Noel Kingsbury - Gardening

Kingsbury's garden writing is among the best you will find in the English language.

From the blog View from Federal Twist, James R. Golden
Dr Noel Kingsbury is an acclaimed garden designer, best-selling author of numerous books and long-time collaborator of the renowned designer Piet Oudolf. With a doctorate from the University of Sheffield he is a leading figure in naturalistic planting design and the New Perennial Movement.

Noel Kingsbury is an international garden designer and writer on gardening, plant sciences and related topics. He is best known for his promotion of naturalistic planting design in gardens and designed landscapes (e.g. the 1996 publication of 'The New Perennial Garden', pub. Frances Lincoln, London), and his 25 year collaboration with Dutch garden and landscape designer Piet Oudolf on books on planting design. He writes sometimes for The Daily Telegraph, Gardens Illustrated magazine and The Garden - the membership magazine of the Royal Horticultural Society. He has worked with Prof. Nigel Dunnett, of the University of Sheffield on the first book in English on green roof and related 'green architecture' technologies. In collaboration with Tim Richardson Kingsbury has edited Vista, the Culture and Politics of Gardens and co-chairs events at the Garden Museum in London under the title 'Vista'. He has worked with several notable garden photographers, such as Marianne Majerus and Andrea Jones.

Kingsbury earned a doctorate from the University of Sheffield in 2009, for a thesis on the Long term performance of ornamental herbaceous vegetation. He continues to research in this area.

Kingsbury has also written a history of plant breeding, Hybrid, The History and Science of Plant Breeding (2009).

Frequently bought as part of this collection

  • RHS Level 2 Certificate: Principles of Plant Growth and Development

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    8 Courses • 5 Expert Tutors

    NEW 2022 RHS Level 2 syllabus - everything you need to know to help you pass the RHS Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Plant Growth and Development.

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Awards & Accreditations

  • CPD Accredited (provider 50276)
  • Good Web Guide
  • Red Herring Winner
  • Education Investor Awards 2021 - Finalist
  • Royal Horticultural Society
  • Digital Education Awards 2023 Winner for Digital Health and Wellbeing Learning Product of the Year
  • Digital Education Awards 2023 Winner for Adult Home Learning Product of the Year