Overview

1. Patterns of global biodiversity and global threats to species and habitats (including acknowledgement of ultimate drivers)
2. Ecosystem services, relationship of ecosystem services to biodiversity, externalities, under-supply of public goods, what kind of values does biodiversity/ecosystems have
3. Evidence of extinction crisis and trends in habitat etc
4. Major threats to biodiversity globally (invasive species, habitat loss and fragmentation, overexploitation and pollution/climate change)
5. Tragedy of the open access resources, causes and solutions to over-harvesting
6. Small population biology (including demographic/environmental stochasticity/allee effects/conservation genetics)
7. Island biogeography and applying theory of island biogeography to protected area design.
8. Selection of protected areas
9. Ex-situ conservation (reintroduction/metapopulation management)

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -Grade D- to D+AssessmentsDescribe the objectives of the exercise and detail methods used to achieve the objectives. Present the results. Discuss the results using material provided in class.Examination answersSummarise information given during the module and present it in a way that is relevant to the question.

-good -Grade C- to B+AssessmentsDescribe the objectives of the exercise and detail methods used to achieve the objectives in a clear and concise manner. Present results in a clear and organised manner demonstrating understanding of relevant statistical results. Discuss the results largely using material provided in class.Examination answersSummarise information given during the module and present it in a way that directly answers the question with elements of interpretation and discussion.

-excellent -Grade A- and aboveAssessmentsDescribe the objectives of the exercise and detail methods used to achieve the Objectives in a clear and concise manner. Present results in a clear and organised manner demonstrating understanding of relevant statistical results and being critical of their limitations as appropriate. Discuss the results largely using material in excess of that provided in class.Examination answersSummarise information given during the module, and acquired through background reading/study, and present it in a way that directly answers the question with elements of clear interpretation and discussion.

Learning Outcomes

• Appreciate the need for mulitdisciplinary approaches to conservation.

• Critically evaluate the process by which certain areas are selected for protection.

• Critically evaluate the viability of populations of conservation concern.

• Engage in informed debate with peers about conservation issues.

• Explain the need for conservation.

• Explain the principles of species and habitat conservation.

• Understand the importance of understanding genetics in conservation decisions