20806281Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
Course Information
Description
Conservation biology is an interdisciplinary field to protect biodiversity. We examine strategies for conserving biodiversity and discuss the application to global society. Objectives include investigating and describing biodiversity, understanding the effects of humans on species, and developing practical approaches to protecting and restoring biodiversity.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Classify different aspects of biodiversity including: population, species, community, and ecosystem
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Define the concepts of population, species, community, and ecosystem
    Differentiate between examples of populations, species, communities, and ecosystems
    Compare biodiversity between different sites/stands/communities

  2. Classify different aspects of biodiversity including: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Define the concepts of alpha, beta, and gamma diversity
    Differentiate between alpha, beta, and gamma diversity using data
    Calculate alpha, beta, and gamma diversity when provided with appropriate data
    Interpret alpha, beta, and gamma diversity when provided with appropriate data

  3. Classify different aspects of biodiversity including: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Define the concepts of genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity
    Differentiate between the concepts of genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity

  4. Interpret diversity metrics
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Calculate appropriate biodiversity metrics
    Analyze biodiversity metrics
    Interpret biodiversity metrics
    Compare biodiversity metrics between biological communities

  5. Explain the importance of biodiversity to humans and to the environment
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Explain the values of biodiversity and ecosystems
    Identify and differentiate ecosystem services
    Determine the ecosystem services provided by aspects of biodiversity
    Describe alternative valuation methods for biodiversity

  6. Assess the threats to a given species when provided with appropriate data
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Describe the effects of human activities on species
    Using published information or other sources, identify the risks of extinction that a given species faces
    Rank or otherwise prioritize threats and risks to a given species

  7. Explain the causes and implications of the “biodiversity crisis,” including the seven major threats to biodiversity: Habitat destruction, Habitat fragmentation, Habitat degradation, Global climate change, Overexploitation of species for human uses, Invasion of nonnative species, and Spread of disease
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Identify each of the anthropogenic causes of the biodiversity crisis
    Rank anthropogenic threats to a given species

  8. Assess the risks of extinction for a given species
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Determine what data would be required to assess the risks of extinction
    Discuss the role of abiotic and biotic factors in species success or survival
    Use the results of a population viability assessment to assess the risk of extinction for a population or species

  9. Critique the ethical implications of human actions on biodiversity
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Explain the ethical considerations of biodiversity loss
    Develop critiques of human impacts on biodiversity using ethical frameworks
    Evaluate statements about biodiversity loss

  10. Critique conservation plans (reserve design, species management plan, etc.) from the perspective of different at-risk species, using appropriate ecological theories and data
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Assess the validity of conservation plans in addressing threats to biodiversity
    Identify misleading or incorrect findings
    Recommend viable conservation plans

  11. Prioritize conservation goals and efforts using multiple approaches
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Quiz, and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Rank conservation goals
    Determine priorities for action
    Identify misleading or incorrect findings
    Rate the viability of proposed solutions