Conservation Biology 4505

Prerequisites

4011 Biology and Environment I, 4012 Biology and Environment II, 4501 Alpine Ecology, 4502 Alpine Biodiversity and Climatic Change.

Course Objectives

The study will provide students with a broader and deeper insight into the ecological basis for environmental management and conservation. The students will also learn to understand and evaluate the scientific foundation for conservation and the choice of various strategies for the management of conservation areas and species.

Course Description

The class reviews selected topics in empirical and theoretical ecology that are particularly relevant for various nature-management strategies. The instruction will, to a large extent, be problem-oriented. Lecture topics will include:

• conservation biology and biodiversity, evolutionary ecology and biodiversity over time
• distribution of biodiversity today, biodiversity indices
• preservation of populations, demography and genetics
• preservation of species, rarity, decline, re-establishment and the relationship between behaviour and species preservation
• ‘preservation of systems’ concerns themes such as landscape ecology, classical nature
• preservation, acute problems, laws and regulations and international cooperation
• biodiversity – methods, measurements and patterns
• restoration of communities
• management of grazing lands
• vegetation conservation, management and restoration

Learning Methods

39 hours lectures, 5 days field course, seminar with student presentations, mandatory term paper.
Teaching medium is English.

Assessment Methods

Grades will be given for the term paper and the final exam (4 hours). The term paper counts for 40% and the final exam counts for 60% of the final grade. In order to take the final examination, the term paper must have received pass mark.

Pensum