Not having a huge departmental budget, I have tended to steer clear of DVDs produced specifically for education. However, Biodiversity Under Threat is likely to become a well-used resource in my geography department. The 40-minute DVD begins with an introduction to the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh, and is organised into chapters which look at the region’s ecosystem, potential threats to the ecosystem and attempts to manage and conserve the Sundarbans. It is presented from an objective point of view and explores some of the difficulties faced by the people of the Sundarbans as they try to find a balance between exploitation of the wealth of resources on their doorstep and conservation of the fragile ecosystem on which they depend.

The information presented on the DVD provides excellent case study material that fits well with the AQA, Edexcel and OCR A-level geography specifications and should spark some good discussion with students. It will also link well with a number of GCSE courses. It draws together a range of geographical ideas so if viewed in its entirety will support the development of students synoptic thinking – the DVD is easily navigable however, so use of shorter clips would also be possible.

What I particularly liked, though, was the superb range of extra resources (student worksheets, teachers notes, links to GCSE and A-level specifications, maps, diagrams and useful weblinks) written by a geographer, that are provided on the disc.

The commentary is not always exciting and the music may get on your nerves, but overall this would be an excellent addition to most geography department resource libraries.

Victoria Ellis,
Swanwick Hall School, Alfreton and member of the GA Secondary Phase Committee