Conservation Biology

Course manual 2022/2023

Course content

• Workshop/discussion on the scientific and philosophical argments for the conservation of nature and biodiversity; origin of the discipline Conservation Biology;
• Group assignment Population Viability Analysis (PVA): investigate (in the scientific literature) the potential causes for the decline and extinction of a number of species, and determine which ecological, demographic and genetic processes affect the viability of the remaining populations;
• Lectures “Nature conservation policy in the Netherlands”: contents of the Dutch government policy plans, target types, financing sources of nature management, Ecological Infrastructure (EHS), Natura 2000;
• Assignment "Living Planet Report Netherlands 2022" reading concept text of the report and providing critical comments in an individual review (1500 words). The reviews will receive feedback and will be graded. The assignment includes a session to ask  questions and a session with short (<5 min) opinion pitches. 
• Workshop/discussion Invasive species: "Should we discriminate species based on their origin?". Discussion on policy and management of invasive exotics and the scientific and societal aspects that play a role in this discussion;
• Lectures on restoration ecology: overview of the approaches developed in The Netherlands to restore terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems/habitats and their biota; learning about the problems that arise while trying to implement scientific theories in conservation practice; scientific basis and societal support;
• Workshop/discussion “Reference for Dutch nature” with a presentation by dr. Frans Vera on interpreting data regarding the target image for nature conservation in Europe;
• Workshop “Conservation Law”: acquire insight in the main national and international legal instruments for nature conservation; national and international developments in nature conservation policy (EU Habitat- and Bird Directive, Natura 2000, Convention on Biological Diversity, Law of the Sea, etc.).

Study materials

Literature

• Conservation for All (free textbook, available as pdf on Canvas)

Other

• There is no study book. All necessary study material will be distributed during the course via Canvas. Taking good notes during lectures, discussions and excursions is essential!

Objectives

• form and defend a science-based opinion on the content of the concept of nature;
• identify which ecological and population biological and genetical processes play a role during the extinction of populations and species;
• construct a Population Viability Analysis on the basis of information in the scientific literature;
• link conservation biological problems to ethical, societal and socio-economical aspects;
• judge which national and international laws and legal instruments can be applied to the conservation of species and habitats;
• assess possibilities and approaches to use scientific knowledge for a sustainable conservation and recovery of biodiversity;
• develop a critical attitude towards scientific solutions to sustainable conservation and recovery of biodiversity;
• explain which problems occur during the practice of conservation biology and ecological restoration by means of excursions and discussions with reserve managers.

Teaching methods

• Fieldwork/excursion
• Presentation/symposium
• Self-study
• Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
• Lecture
• Laptop seminar

Learning activities

Academic skills

• Reading and summarising scientific papers
• Taking notes in field and classroom
• Separating important from non-important information
• Formulating a clear science-based opinion
• Presenting results of a literature study
• Collaborating on a joint assignment and a presentation

Attendance

Programme's requirements concerning attendance (OER-B):

• Participation in all practical (computer) sessions, field work and seminars in the curriculum is in principle obligatory. Any additional requirements are described per section in the course manual. Also the possible consequences of not fulfilling this obligation are described.
  

Assessment

Inspection of assessed work

Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.

Assignments

PVA assignment

• group assignment, group presentation, direct feedback, not graded, group size 4-5

Ex situ conservation assignment

• group assignment, group pitch-poster, direct feedback, group size 6-7

Assignment Living Planet Report 2022

• Reading draft texts for the Dutch Living Planet report 2022, writing a review of 1500 Words, which will receive feedback and will be graded

The course comprises the following assignments. None of these is graded directly. The exam contains questions on each assignment.

• PVA assignment: in groups of 4-5, students read literature on species' ecology, habitat/distribution change, demography, reproductive biology, population genetics and use the data/information to make an assessment of its population viability (Population Viability Assessment). They prepare a group presentation that they present and defend in a symposium on the PVA's for 10 species.
• Assignment 'Review of the draft Dutch Living Planet Report 2022': the students individually read the drafts of the first two chapters of the Dutch Living Planet Report ad write a critical review of 1500 words. The focus is on the scientific underpinning of the interpretation and conclusions presented in the report and on providing suggestions for improvement of the scientific base. The individual reviews will receive feedback and will be graded. During a joint session, each student will present an opinion pitch of <5 minutes (timed).
• Ex situ conservation assignment: Students are subdivided into six groups, each representing a zoo, botanic garden, the Living Archieve foundation or the IUCN species survival committee. They select reading material from a provided list of papers, and prepare a 10 min pitch in which they present a statement of their organisation on what they believe is their role in the conservation of endangered plant or animal species, and how they want to fulfill this role in practice. The pitches are followed by a debate on the pros and cons of ex situ approaches for species conservation.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Honours information

Honours students can contact the coordinator to discuss additions to the regular course program.

Additional information

• Basic knowledge from 1st and 2nd year courses on ecology and evolution, or equivalent, is assumed.
• There is a maximum of 40 students for this course.

Processed student feedback

Below you will find the adjustments in the course design in response to the course evaluations:

• based on the students' suggestions, workgroup sessions to prepare the excursions have been added
• the poorly evaluated sessions on International Conservation with Serge Wich have been changed. This year, two documentaries will be analysed, along with a number of papers that will be summarised and discussed on day 2
• based on the poor exam results in 2017, a laptop session has been added to learn how to interpret scientific data/graphs

Contact information

Coordinator

• Gerard Oostermeijer

Staff

• dr. Gerard Oostermeijer