wcb2ic issues in conservation
ISSUES IN CONSERVATION
WCB2IC
2015
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This unit covers rationales for biodiversity conservation: moral, aesthetic and utilitarian. Biodiversity and its assessment: measures of biodiversity, survey methods for bacteria, protists, plants and animals, surrogate groups, molecular assessment of biodiversity as genetic information content, rapid assessment methods, endemism, taxonomy and phylogeny. Biodiversity in Australia: continental biogeography, characteristics of Australian ecosystems. Maximising retained biodiversity through optimal reserve selection. Threatening processes. Ecosystem services: relationship to biodiversity. Management of endangered species: status evaluation, life histories, captive maintenance, inbreeding avoidance, reintroduction, population viability analysis, impact of introduced species. Restoration ecology. Use of computer programs for conservation biological analysis: reserve selection, evolutionary distinctiveness, and population viability analysis.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorNick Murphy
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites (BIO1GEN or BIO1MGC) and any two of (BIO1AD, BIO1PS, BIO1EEB, BIO1APM)
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects CBE2IC
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Practical conservation biology | Prescribed | D. Lindenmayer & M. Burgman (2005) | CSIRO |
| Readings | Conservation biology in Australia: An introduction | Recommended | T.R. New. (2006) | OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Describe, record and reflect on observations during field work.
- Activities:
- Field diary/notebook.
02. Read, analyse and summarise available scientific literature on a given topic.
- Activities:
- Students participate in a workshop on critiquing scientific papers and writing literature reviews prior to completing the literature review assessment task.
03. Participate in the communication of the findings of a group investigation to peers and supervisor.
- Activities:
- Students participate in a workshop on preparing and giving oral presentations prior to completing the group oral presentation assessment task.
04. Apply scientific method to biological questions through practical investigation and written report.
- Activities:
- Practical investigation followed by written report and group presentation. Students participate in a workshop on writing scientific reports prior to completing the written report assessment task.
05. Define and explain biodiversity, threats to biodiversity, issues in the conservation and management of biodiversity.
- Activities:
- Final theory exam.
Subject options
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Albury-Wodonga, 2015, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment size40
Enrolment information Accommodation in Practical classes. Academic performance in pre-requisite subjects.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorAlexei Rowles
Class requirements
PracticalWeek: 10 - 22
One 10.0 hours practical per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Field TripWeek: 10 - 22
One 5.0 days field trip per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Field course (5 days) in week before Semester One"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field diary/notebook | 10 | 01 | |
| Literature review (1500 words) | 10 | 02 | |
| Project report - (3000 words) | 15 | 04 | |
| Project report - group oral presentation | 5 | 03 | |
| Theory exam (3 hours) | 60 | 05 |
Melbourne, 2015, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentNo
Maximum enrolment size40
Enrolment information Accommodation in Practical classes. Academic performance in pre-requisite subjects.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorNick Murphy
Class requirements
Field TripWeek: 10 - 22
One 5.0 days field trip per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Field course (5 days) in week before Semester One"
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
PracticalWeek: 10 - 22
One 10.0 hours practical per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field diary/notebook | 10 | 01 | |
| Literature review (1500 words) | 10 | 02 | |
| Project report - (3000 words) | 15 | 04 | |
| Project report - group oral presentation | 5 | 03 | |
| Theory exam (3 hours) | 60 | 05 |