Bi8370 Conservation Biology

Faculty of Science
Spring 2022
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 2 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Jeffrey Clark Nekola, PhD. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Jeffrey Clark Nekola, PhD.
Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Jeffrey Clark Nekola, PhD.
Supplier department: Department of Botany and Zoology – Biology Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 14:00–15:50 D32/329
Prerequisites
Bi6340 Macro- and community ecology
Fundamentals of Ecology recommended
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 24 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 3/24, only registered: 0/24, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/24
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Conservation biology is one of the newest ecological disciplines and is specifically interested in applying ecological principles to the protection of biological diversity. Over the semester students will be provided with the knowledge and experiences necessary to allow for independent assessment of given conservation strategies. To do this we will consider the important ecological principles underlying conservation biology and will then apply these principles to real-world situations. Throughout, students will be encouraged to foster the ability to critically and objectively assess the major theories and paradigms which underlie the most important issues in conservation biology. This material will be presented in English through lectures and classroom assignments.
Learning outcomes
Students will first investigate conservation ethics, followed by human impacts to biological diversity. We then consider population genetics and biology, with focus on the concept of Minimum Viable Populations. We next overview disturbance ecology. The role of spatial scale in the observation and maintenance of biodiversity is considered next, followed by the impacts of habitat fragmentation. We conclude the class by considering a series of debates within the field including Single-Large or Several-Small Reserves, corridors, reserve design within dynamic systems, ex-situ vs. in-situ conservation, species reintroductions, community restoration, game management, reserve integrity, and exotic species. While the course expects mastery of these foundational concepts, ideas, and facts, perhaps more importantly it will teach students to critically and independently assess the conservation issues and potential solutions.
Syllabus
  • Hour 1. Course Overview - Introduction to Philosophical Ethics.
  • Hour 2. Conservation Ethics - I.
  • Hour 3. Conservation Ethics - II.
  • Hour 4. Humans and Biological Diversity - Negative Impacts.
  • Hour 5. Humans and Biological Diversity - Positive Impacts.
  • Hour 6. Population Genetics.
  • Hour 7. Population Biology.
  • Hour 8. Minimum Viable Populations.
  • Hour 9. Disturbance Ecology - Small Scale.
  • Hour 10. Disturbance Ecology - Large Scale.
  • Hour 11. Spatial Scale.
  • Hour 12. Habitat Fragmentation - Short-term effects.
  • Hour 13. Habitat Fragmentation - Long-term effects.
    • Hour 14. Mid-term Exam.
  • Hour 15. SLOSS.
  • Hour 16. Corridors.
  • Hour 17. Dynamic Systems and Reserve Design.
  • Hour 18. Ex-situ vs. In-situ Conservation.
  • Hour 19. Species Reintroduction.
  • Hour 20. Community Restoration.
  • Hour 21. Game Management vs. Biodiveristy.
  • Hour 22. Reserve Integrity.
  • Hour 23. Exotic Species Problems and Responses.
    • Hour 24. Second Exam.
Literature
  • Approximately 56 original scientific papers, ranging from 2-4 per lecture.
Teaching methods
The course will be taught via lectures in conjunction with classroom discussion of assigned readings. Throughout I will encourage an interactive atmosphere in which the students are able to ask questions and consider the potential answers. To try and help encourage not only accomplishing the reading assignments, but also critical thinking about the material covered, students are also required to keep a journal of their experiences in this class. Daily journal entries will be a short (less than a page) summary of student’s thoughts regarding the assigned readings and class discussion for each class. These will be graded four times during the course.
Assessment methods
Course grades will be based on three equally weighted parts: two exams, plus the journal. The tests will be comprehensive, covering all material presented in the class to that time. The ratio of tested material pertaining to lecture and readings will be about 2:1. Tests will be primarily based on essay questions, as this is the only way I have of really determining your basic understanding of the topics covered.. It is highly unlikely that a student would be able to pass the exams without attending lectures.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
Office: 32/328; email: nekola@sci.muni.cz
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2022, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2022/Bi8370