Course Syllabus

 

Biological Conservation and Biodiversity

 

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Semester & Location:

SPRING 2020 - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines:

Biology, Environmental Science, Sustainability

Faculty Members:

Inger Kærgaard - inger.kaergaard@dis.dk 

Program Director:

Neringa B. Vendelbo - nb@dis.dk

Program Assistant:

Julia Magnuson - jma@dis.dk

Time & Place:

Monday & Thursday, 13.15 - 14.35, F24-403

 

Description of Course

An understanding of the basic principles of conservation is important in order to address the ecological challenges we face in the 21st century. If the recent pace of pollution and extinction continues, future generations will inherit a degenerate Earth. Humans alone are the main guardians of the natural world and therefore our management strategies for various ecosystems and species are critical. This course will provide an introduction to the basic principles of conservation and biodiversity. The field of conservation biology is interdisciplinary. Protecting our remaining biological diversity will involve all fields of science, from the humanities to natural sciences. This course will explore economics and politics as they relate to conservation, through topics including the red list and interest organizations. Recently extinct animals will also be introduced and discussed in the context of keystone species, as well as other concepts. We will also consider the value wildlife has in different communities, and explore the different levels on which protection of species can take place. Topics will often be examined through local, regional and global perspectives. We will often include Danish cases and compare them with the situation in the US. You will get to know a bit of Danish nature through field excursions.  
The course is roughly divided into the below modules:
  1. Biodiversity and its importance (what is biodiversity? Understanding biodiversity and the status of global biodiversity)
  2. Concrete threats to biodiversity
  3. Maintaining biodiversity
  4. With great power... comes great responsibility....

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course students will have:

  • Knowledge of fundamental concepts within conservation and biodiversity;
  • Knowledge of the main threats to biological diversity and the ability to evaluate the effects of human influences such as habitat fragmentation, climate changes and invasive species on biodiversity;
  • A greater understanding of the relationships and conflicts between social development and conservation of ecosystems; as well as moral and ethical issues;
  • The ability to demonstrate the differences between the different layers in the red list;
  • An enhanced recognition of the complexities of environmental conservation;
  • An overview of the current political and economic concerns of conservation, the players involved, and their roles;
  • A greater sensibility of the wonderful natural world that is still surrounding us.
  • The ability to analyze information generated from scientific investigations and use findings to address conservation and biodiversity issues.

 

Faculty

Inger Kærgaard holds a MSc in biology (University of Copenhagen, 2004). Focused on sustainability and conservation biology. Project manager at a University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland. One project in environmental education was funded by the EU, another project funded by the Swiss government involved sustainable income generating activities for organic farmers in the Swiss Alps (2004-2006). Worked for various NGOs on forest protection and sustainable development in Thailand and Indonesia (2007 and 2010). Taught biology in an upper secondary school in Denmark and was also involved in an education program for sustainability education (2010-2013). Organized two photo exhibitions on forest issues. The exhibitions were supported by Danida and were based on qualitative research, which Inger carried out in South East Asia (2009 and 2012). Furthermore Inger is engaged in urban bat ecology. With DIS since 2014.

 

Reading list:

The primary readings will be from Fundamentals of Conservation Biology. Hunter M.L. and Gibbs J.P. Third Edition. Blackwell Publishing 2007, which is provided by DIS. Please pick this book up during the Arrivals Workshop.

Arcticles we will use (some exaxmples):

Myers et al, 2000. Biodiversity Hotspots for Conservation Priorities. Nature, 403, 853-858.

Rockström et al, 2009. A safe operating space for humanity. Nature 461, 472-475.

Barnosky et al. (2011): Has the Earth’s sixth mass extinction already arrived? Nature, 471, 51-57.

Michelsen A. (2003):  Signals and flexibility in the dance communication of honeybees. J Comp Physiol A.

Galoway et al.(2016): Marine microplast spell big problems for future generations. PNAS.

Cordingle et al. (2016):Can landscape-scale approaches to conservation management resolve biodiversity–ecosystem service trade-offs?

Dubgaard, A., (2003). Cost-benefit analysis of the Skjern river restoration in Denmark.

Stuart H. M. Butchart et al. (2016). Formulating smart commitments on biodiversity: Lessons from the Aichi Targets, Conservation Letters.
 

Field Studies

4 March visiting the Copenhagen ZOO.

1st April, visiting Bøllemosen and Jægerspris Hegn.

21st April, bat tour in Fælledparken.

 

 

Approach to Teaching

The class will be composed primarily of lectures, but will also incorporate interactive elements. Furthermore, there will often be questions presented for you to consider, discuss, and present in small groups.

All students are expected to have completed the course readings before class, so we can discuss the material at the right level. It is important to be well prepared for class because I may randomly select students to give key points on the readings for that day.

The lectures will be taught in the order written in the syllabus, unless you are told differently. The order of the lectures are to ensure that you know all of the basic concepts before we go into deeper discussions of more conservation-related issues in today’s society.

In some lectures, we will have small five-minute presentations on various species. This is mainly to maintain the constant curiosity and passion for nature. Sometimes I will make them and sometimes one of you will make them. Please feel free to talk to me after class if you have any comments, questions, or concerns. You can also use your class representatives as a resource.

 

Expectations of the Students

In general...

Critically read the assigned readings before class with the help of handouts and questions for the given lecture. This still applies on test days.

Laptop use is to be extremely limited.. If you are on Facebook, Instant Messaging, etc, your participation grade will severely suffer. Occasionally, I will ask you to search for something, and in these cases internet searches are allowed.

Mobile phones are not allowed during class.

Hand in your papers and assignments on time, otherwise your grade will be penalized by a half a grade per day of delay.

You should be able to search for and find scientific references on you own using the Royal Library:http://www.kb.dk/da/index.html 

Just come and talk to me directly, or to the the class representatives, or ESA Program Assistant, Shannon Schooley, if there are any problems.

Evaluation

You will be evaluated in this course in several ways. There will be one midterm test to make sure you have learned the key concepts of conservation and biodiversity. You will also be evaluated on participation in class/field studies, and on three separate papers that you are going to write during the semester; the final paper will function as your final exam.

Midterm test:

The test will cover the basic principles of conservation and biodiversity taught during the semester.

  1. Approximately 80 minutes in length

  2. Use it to gauge how you are doing in the class

 

Citizen science Assignment 1 (4 pages including pictures)

ZOO visit Assignment 2 (4 pages including pictures)

For this assignment you have two different options: Option 1: During our Copenhagen Zoo visit you will gather information about four animals with various statuses. You have to describe concerns, treatments, and what can be done to support these species. In the zoo, you will also try to evaluate the enclosure and the behavior. Option 2: Exploring the purpose of zoos. You will make a critical review of their impact on conservation.

You will receive more guidelines for both options assignment.

 Conservation/Biodiversity paper (Final paper, 6-7 pages):

You will choose a topic within conservation or biodiversity from the list (to be handed out in class) and write an outline with 10 references, which you will turn in. You will get your outline back with comments and then write a paper on the chosen subject. The paper should consider the ecosystem, population dynamics, geographical region, problems, solutions, economics, politics and law etc. Further information will follow.

 

Grading

Assignment

Percent

Assignment 1 (ZOO visit)
15%
Assignment 2 (citizen science project )
15%
Midterm test
20%
Outline for final paper and final paper 25%
Participation 25%

Deadlines for assignments: All assignments are due at 23:59, they should be uploaded on Canvas.

 

Academic Regulations

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

 

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

Course Summary:

Date Details Due