Course Objectives:
Provide a broad overview of the major concepts and issues in the multi-disciplinary field of Conservation Biology. Canadian and international case studies will be used to illustrate topics.
Instructor:
Dr. Sarah Gergel
Department of Forest Sciences & Centre for Applied Conservation Research
Forest Sciences Centre, Room 3042
Sarah.Gergel@ubc.ca
Office Hours: By Appointment
TA:
Jason Holliday
Department of Forest Sciences
Forest Sciences Centre, Room 3623
jah1@interchange.ubc.ca
Office Hours: By Appointment
Learning Outcomes:
Students will learn to approach conservation problems with a more critical eye and improve the rigor of conservation science by: (a) recognizing sources of uncertainty and assumptions often made in conservation; (b) identifying and avoiding common mistakes routinely made in conservation; (c) better recognizing conflicts of interest; and (d) understanding how the challenges of conservation science are different for different levels of biological organization (from genes to landscapes).
Lecture:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am - 9:50 am FSC 1003
Lab Sections:
Tuesdays 12:30 - 15:30 FSC 1222 (for Debates) FSC1406 (for Computer Labs)
Wednesdays 15:00 - 18:00 in FSC 1222 (for Debates) FSC1404 (for Computer Labs)
FINAL REPORT TOPICS (CHOOSE ONE):
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Recovery of the Florida Panther via Reintroduction of Texas Cougars – Is it a good idea?
-
Is stream and river restoration working in North America? Or are we wasting money?
-
Consider the Great Bear Rainforest. Will it protect ecological integrity in the long-term?
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Should planting of GMO trees play a role in climate change adaptation?
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Is assisted migration a recommended strategic response in the face of changing climate?
-
Are regulations (regarding the ivory trade) working to help protect endangered elephant populations?
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Are we doing enough to help conserve large whale species of concern? (Consider scientific whaling and/or genetic monitoring of whale meat).
-
Are we doing enough to protect the genetic integrity of maize in Mexico?
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Should we use creation of carbon credits to help guide ecosystem restoration? Why or why not?
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Consider salvage logging (after natural disturbance) – Will it aid or hinder ecosystem recovery?
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Is Co-Management of Gwaii Haanas National Park working well?
As much as possible, use peer-reviewed literature, which can be found using ISI's Web-of-Knowledge Search Engine
Required Text
None. We will focus on assigned readings from the primary scientific literature and will be posted on the course website.
Recommended Text: (not required)
Primack. Essentials of Conservation Biology, 3rd edition
This text is also on reserve at MacMillan library
Laboratories & Debates
Attendance at all laboratories and debates is mandatory. Laboratories will reinforce concepts learned in readings and lectures, as well as introduce students to new ideas and techniques. Laboratories will be comprised of either debates or computer laboratories.
Assignments, tests and exams:
The mid-term and final exams will cover all material (lectures, labs, readings) covered in the entire course including debate lab material. Some exam questions will be meant to integrate what you have learned in different sections of the course and may include a take-home question. Anyone suspected of plagiarism will be dealt with by the Dean’s Office in the Faculty of Forestry.
All lab assignments and take-home questions in this course will be marked for spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Late assignments will be penalized by 30% of the mark per day or partial day late. Make-up tests, exams, or laboratories will only be permitted under exceptional circumstances, with appropriate documentation. It will be virtually impossible to “make-up” a debate lab that you miss – so I strongly recommend you avoid this.
Breakdown of course marks:
| |
% of Total Mark
|
|
Midterm Exam
|
25
|
|
Laboratories & Debates
|
30
|
| Final Lab Report |
20
|
|
Final Examination (During Scheduled Exam Period)
|
25
|
|
TOTAL
|
100
|
|
|
|
Questions?
If you have any questions about the labs or the lectures please email me at sarah.gergel@ubc.ca.
Course Website: http://courses.forestry.ubc.ca/cons330/
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Other Helpful Links:
ISI Web Of Knowledge Search Engine
Professional Scientific Societies:
Society for Conservation Biology
Scientific Journals of Interest:
Biological Conservation
Conservation Biology Publication of the Society for Conservation Biology Past issues (1987-1998)
Conservation Ecology On-line journal; free subscriptions
Ecological Applications
Ecology & Society
Restoration Ecology Publication of the Society for Ecological Restoration
Conservation Genetics
Journal of Wildlife Management Publication of the Wildlife Society